UArts memorial commemorates one year since school’s closure

The University of the Arts closed nearly one year ago currently The abrupt choice by UArts upper leadership meant multiple staff members and students had just one week to figure out other arrangements and pack up their belongings Billy Penn spoke with various project leads and deans faculty staff and students about their experiences after the schools closure Nearly a year later a UArts Celebration of Life will commemorate the one-year anniversary with performances speakers and artwork from the school The events will take place June - at Hamilton Hall UArts former administration center and icon of the school s logo Hamilton Hall was lately purchased by Scout a female-led progress firm Scout purchased the building with plans to repurpose the space for artists They demanded for area input particularly from UArts alumni and former faculty throughout the process The firm will serve as host for the Celebration of Life celebration The events Offerings will last from to p m beginning on Wednesday June and running through Sunday June Here s a day-by-day schedule Wednesday June Things kick off with an opening ceremony and remembrances There will be an opening procession and musical welcome a grounding ritual alumni performances council remarks and an open mic The day will end with an altar activation which will be built from UArts remnants such as clothing merchandise letters and books that honor its legacy A memory wall will also be included Thursday June The campaign will be similar with a grounding ritual alumni performances council remarks and a society open mic The day will end with space for story sharing and remembrance On Friday June the day will start like the previous ones but will end with a memory wall and altar offerings as well as an opportunity to celebrate joyful moments and resistance Saturday June will begin with another grounding ritual but is packed with several performances including dance and theater features The day will end with alumni performances a neighborhood open mic and shared visioning legacy building Sunday June will be the altar deconstruction This means participants in the event can each take a piece of UArts home with them There will be more opportunities for public discussion and a closing reflection Beyond this scheduled services alumni students faculty staff neighbors and all other touched by UArts are invited to contribute a memory performance or gesture Participants will be given - minute slots to do several kind of performance presentation or piece whether that s in the dance musical theater acting chanting vocal music graphic design visual art or other categories Those performing will have the opportunity to use two microphones a grand piano and a speaker system Helpers are also encouraged to get involved The celebration calendar is subject to change based on submissions from society members and length of initiatives The post UArts memorial commemorates one year since school s closure appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY