This year, the visual arts will take center stage at UCF Celebrates the Arts. The festival will feature a series of events highlighting the visual arts and visual artists at UCF from April 2 to 10. From competitions to showcases of artistic achievement, these events offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creativity and talent of students, alumni and faculty. Events will be offered virtually and in person at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
“Visual arts […] is something that can be appreciated at everyone’s own leisure,” says Gérman Salazar ‘19, a former Graphic Design Student Association officer who has been heavily involved in UCF Celebrates the Arts. “Attendees can contemplate the exhibits for hours or feel the energy from all the pieces with a quick lap. And, also, why not? If we’re celebrating the arts, why exclude the visual arts?”
Arts On! A Virtual Showcase of Creativity at UCF – April 6 at 6:00 p.m.
Broadway veteran Justin Sargent ’08 took viewers behind the scenes to see how the arts and creativity come alive at UCF. Through interviews, video clips and conversations, this two-hour feature placed viewers in the center of the action from wherever they were. Content included a conversation about the arts with UCF President Alexander Cartwright, prints being made in real-time, spoken word, a gallery tour, thoughts on how creativity impacts disciplines across the university and much more. Watch a recording of the event here.
Creative Clash – April 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Ready…set…draw! Artists armed with black markers will race against the clock to create large-format artwork at Creative Clash. With the theme being announced only seconds before the start of the event, this suspenseful event relies on the audience to help choose a winner at the end of the competition.
Given Salazar’s involvement in the inaugural year of Creative Clash, he is very familiar with the excitement of the competition. “It’s an event that stimulates the creative mind. While artists are battling for the first place, the audience gets to also think “What would I have done with the prompt?’ and also be mesmerized at the out-of-the-box ideas that the artists come up with,” he says.
Artful Moments: Creative Highlights from the School of Visual Arts and Design – Ongoing
Throughout UCF Celebrates the Arts, you can explore the exceptional work that students and alumni of the School of Visual Arts and Design are creating. A selection of curated clips, interviews, photos, exhibitions, events and more will premiere before each live performance during UCF Celebrates the Arts and virtually on YouTube. Following each premiere, the features will be available to view on-demand until April 10, so be sure to keep tuning in!