Construction on Science Central’s planetarium project is set to begin with a private groundbreaking on Thursday, Sept. 7, which will occur during their annual shutdown from Aug. 28-Sept. 8.
The scope of the project will see a 1,830-square-foot planetarium built on the west side of the building, topped by a dome measuring 21 feet high and 28 feet across. The completed amenity will seat approximately 60 and feature a Digistar digital projection system from Evans & Sutherland along with a starball projector from the University of Saint Francis.
The plan is for the project be completed by next summer. When finished, Science Central’s planetarium will be the only public one in the region.
The facility’s annual shutdown allows them to focus on maintenance and work on large-scale projects. Doors will reopen at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Final days to see ‘Icons in Transformation‘
An exhibition of contemporary art by Kazakhstan native Ludmila Pawlowska is on display at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., through Sept. 10.
The large exhibition of artistic works are housed in the Gothic building and “is made up of new works inspired by traditional icons.”
The exhibit is free and open to the public on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m., Thursdays from noon-4 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m.-noon and 4-6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon, and Sundays from 1-3 p.m.
Retiring PFW professor’s work on display
The PFW Department of Art and Design will hold a reception and retrospective featuring the work of professor Audrey Ushenko, spanning more than 35 years of her career as an educator and professional artist.
Ushenko’s work in still life oil paintings and interactive figurative art has been exhibited across the nation in museums and special events and featured in multiple publications. She has served as artist-in-residence, executing painting projects that have drawn adoring crowds around her easel, while painting them in some of the most unusual settings.
Her projects have been shown at Fort Wayne Museum of Art, St. Louis University Museum of Art, Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University, University of Chicago Hospitals, and Indiana State Museum. She has most recently assisted in the research and creation of associate professor Andres Montenegro’s creative installation “Pictorial and Virtual Simulation of Andrea Mantegna’s Fresco The Wedding Chamber.”
A retirement reception will be held Thursday, Aug. 31, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. Her works will be on display through Sept. 17.
Register for Clean the Drains Day
Friends of the Rivers are seeking volunteers for Clean the Drains Day on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Outfitted with the Clean the Drains’ kit, you and your team can clear and mark our storm drains, then rendezvous at Promenade Park at noon for pizza.
Register at cleandrainsfortwayne.org and become part of this rewarding community-wide effort to protect our neighborhoods and rivers.
Comedian Kevin James Thornton visiting city
Kevin James Thornton will appear at the Summit City Comedy Club on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Thornton is a rising TikTok star with more than 700,000 followers and 100 million video views. He has built a following with hilarious, heartfelt, and occasionally cringey moments of self-reflection.
From 2009-12 he toured three successful one-man-shows nationwide to theater festivals and comedy clubs where Showbiz Chicago said the performance was “intimate brilliance” and NUVO Indianapolis writing it was “memorable and moving.”
He has been featured in The Huffington Post, The Advocate, The New Yorker, and Cosmopolitan, and was featured in a piece on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Register for Fire & Light Academy classes
Fire & Light Academy will hold Foundations of Theatre classes at Lifehouse Church Forest Park Campus, 2100 Kentucky Ave., every Tuesday from Sept. 5-Nov. 7.
Students aged 7-10 will meet from 3:30-5 p.m. and students age 11-13 will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. to learn the basics of theater and get their feet wet in the art of performing. Classes cost $125.
Veteran performer and vocalist Patrice Fox has developed a class to train kids in fundamental performance skills: proper vocal technique, ear training, characterization, movement, and rhythm.
Kids will practice skits, songs, and simple dance numbers and perform at Parent Night on November.
News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
