The University of Saint Francis has a few events the public is invited to attend: the President’s Art Gala on Saturday, Sept. 7; the Rick Cartwright Retrospective Exhibition, which runs through Oct. 13; and a sculpture dedication at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.

The free President’s Art Gala will be from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Mimi and Ian Rolland Art Center on their Leesburg Road campus. 

Presented by the university, President Dr. Lance Richey, and Saint Francis Creative Arts, the gala will have live music, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Gallery Director Justin Johnson will share a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m., preceding the gala. 

The Rick Cartwright Retrospective Exhibition at Rolland Art Center is a solo exhibit by Cartwright, who was a faculty member from 1975-2017. Cartwright (1951-2023) was the founding dean of the School of Creative Arts in 2004, serving in that role until his retirement in 2017. 

This exhibition displays works spanning five decades in a variety of media including drawing, painting, digital imaging, and found object sculpture. This exhibition will describe not only Cartwright’s creative output but also his dedication to teaching. Cartwright earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. 

The exhibit is the largest ever of Cartwright’s work.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The galleries are closed during Labor Day weekend.

Lastly, Saint Francis will hold a Sculpture Garden Dedication at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 at Rolland Art Center in the garden designed by Cartwright. This tribute will include a brief presentation inside the galleries and an outdoor musical performance in the garden space.

For more information on the gala, exhibition, or dedication, contact Saint Francis Creative Arts Coordinator Molly McGowan at (260) 399-8064 or via email at mmcgowan@sf.edu.

Youtheatre announces new leaders

As Fort Wayne Youtheatre embarks on their 90th season, the company recently named Heather Closson as executive director and promoted Christopher J. Murphy to artistic director.

Closson was most recently vice president of community engagement for Arts United, while Murphy joined Fort Wayne Youtheatre in 2016, working as associate director.

“As Youtheatre enters its 90th year serving the young artists and families of northeast Indiana, we are thrilled to have these two pillars of the organization leading Youtheatre into its next act,” said President Erin Lowden on behalf of the Youtheatre Board of Directors. “Each brings unique but complimentary skills and experience to their role. Students and audiences can expect lots of exciting changes while still remaining the Youtheatre they know and love.”

Time is now to register for Saint Francis Jesters

The Jesters program of the University of Saint Francis is taking registrations through Sept. 30 for the 2024-25 season. 

The Jesters is a performing group of people ages 8 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Beginning Saturday, Sept. 7, they will meet weekly from 10 a.m.-noon during the school year at the Saint Francis North Campus, 2702 Spring St. They will break from Nov. 30 through December, resuming Jan. 4, to co-create an original, culminating performance presented Saturday-Sunday, March 8-9.

Morning activities will include dance/movement, theater/improvisation, storytelling, and music (instrumental and voice). Optional afternoon sessions in visual arts, choir, and dance/theater will be offered from 1-2 p.m. Only those enrolled in the morning program are eligible to attend the afternoon classes.

The registration fee is $100, and scholarships are available. To request registration forms, contact Saint Francis Creative Arts Coordinator Molly McGowan at mmcgowan@sf.edu or (260) 399-8064. 

Honeywell Foundation receives awards

The Honeywell Foundation was recently recognized at the annual Indiana Century and Half-Century Awards in Indianapolis as a 2024 Half-Century Award recipient for their 83 years of operation in Wabash County. 

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb joined Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg to celebrate longstanding Hoosier businesses, awarding the Governor’s Century and Half-Century Business Award to 48 businesses in recognition of each company’s longevity and its impact on the state’s economy, communities, and people.

In 1941, Mark C. Honeywell founded The Honeywell Foundation to oversee the development and construction of the Honeywell Memorial Community Center (now known as the Honeywell Center) in Wabash. 

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