The Center for Creativity and the Arts 2017-18 theme is “Voice and Silence: Expressions of the Human Spirit and Community.”

“‘Voice and Silence’ will look at the various ways in which we communicate our ideas, points of views and concerns regarding current events,” said Cindy Urrutia, director of the center.

Housed in the College of Arts and Humanities, the center is dedicated to engaging diverse communities in artistic and intellectual discovery to understand, transform and inspire the Central Valley.

Events in this year’s CCA theme include:

  • Global Music Lecture Series (4-5:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21, and 2-3:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, in the University Business Center, Peters Business 191) —Two lectures by Dr. Tammy Kernodle, musicologist and specialist on women in jazz. Read more here.
  • “Paper Lanterns” film and discussion (5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, Peters Educational Center Auditorium at 5010 N. Woodrow Ave., first floor of Student Recreation Center) — A film by Barry Frechette about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The aftermath is recounted by witnesses and survivors. This screening and discussion are offered in honor of World Peace Day. Presented in conjunction with CineCulture.
  • Rebozo Revival Festival ( 25-29) – This event returns to Fresno this month as the Rebozo Revival Festival. A rebozo is a long woven cloth garment from Mexico and Central America traditionally worn as a shawl, head covering, belt, baby sling or backpack. Rebozosare worn today for fashion and function throughout the Americas. The opening ceremony and opening art exhibit will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 25, at Fres.co (1918 Fresno Street). Other events include an art exhibition, a film and weaving workshops, a fashion show and a concluding reception at the Mexican-Consulate of Fresno Sept. 29. Full release to come.
  • Maya Christina Gonzalez Workshop — (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sept. 29, Kremen Education Building, Room 140.) Cosponsored with the Arnie Nixon Center and the Cross Cultural and Gender Center. Participants are asked to bring a photo of themselves. Using exercises from her Claiming Face curriculum, Maya leads people through beautiful portraits to personal stories and finally toward larger healing narratives as the day’s workshop progresses. No creative experience or proclivity necessary, only the call to attend and claim your voice. Read more here.
  • “The Other Eye on Afghanistan: Photographs by Farzana Wahidy” exhibition (Oct. 9-26 in the Phebe Conley Art Gallery) – This exhibition features the voices of the often silent women of Afghanistan who risk their lives pursuing photography and film as an art form. Cosponsored with the Department of Art and Design.
    • Artist presentation: 3:30-5 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12, Alice Peters Auditorium, PB 191. Reception to follow in the Phebe Conley Gallery.
    • CineCulture: “Frame by Frame.” Wahidy will be the discussant for the film screening, 5:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, Peters Educational Center Auditorium at 5010 N. Woodrow Ave., first floor of Student Recreation Center. Cosponsored with Cineculture, Asian Pacific Islander Programs and Services at Fresno State’s Cross Cultural and Gender Center, and the Department of Communication.
  • Juan Felipe Herrera exhibition (Oct. 5-28, M Street Graduate Studios) – This exhibition will highlight and honor Juan Felipe Herrera’s tenure as the U.S. Poet Laureate. Opening Oct. 5 as part of ArtHop at M Street Graduate Galleries, Downtown Fresno. Reception at 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at M Street Graduate Galleries
  • “Voice and Silence: Women in Opera and Philosophy” concert (7:30 p.m., Oct. 13, Fresno State Concert Hall) – Lecture recital featuring Dr. Tina Botts (Philosophy), soprano Dr. Maria Briggs and Drew Quiring on piano. With special guest artist baritone Limuel Forgey accompanied by Dr. Limor Toren-Immerman on violin and Keegan Bamford on cello. This event is a collaboration with the Departments of Music, Philosophy and Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures.
  • “Nowhere to Hide” film (5:30-8 p.m., Oct. 27, Peters Educational Center Auditorium at 5010 N. Woodrow Ave., first floor of Student Recreation Center) –”Nowhere to Hide” is an immersive and uncompromising first-hand reflection of the resilience and fortitude of a male nurse working and raising his children in Jalawla, Iraq, an increasingly dangerous and inaccessible part of the world. Presented in conjunction with CineCulture.
  • “Unsung Heroes” exhibition (Nov. 2-30,M Street Studios) –This exhibition will spotlight African American Veterans whose voices are often silent and whose contribution to military service goes unrecognized. Reception at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2 at M Street Studios. Cosponsored with the Department of Art and Design.
  • Film “Menashe” (5:30-8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3,Peters Educational Center Auditorium at 5010 N. Woodrow Ave., first floor of Student Recreation Center) – Deep in the heart of New York’s ultra-orthodox Hasidic Jewish community, “Menashe” (2017), a kind, hapless grocery store clerk, struggles to make ends meet and responsibly parent his young son, Rieven, following his wife Leah’s death. Presented in conjunction with CineCulture.

For additional information, contact Urrutia at CCAFresnoState@csufresno.edu or 559.278.8341