College of Arts + Architecture

The animation studio OddBot Inc. has optioned the three books of theatre professor Andrew Hartley’s “Steeplejack” trilogy for development as a limited TV series or movie. The trio of young adult fantasy/adventure novels are set in the 19th century in a fictional land similar to South Africa and feature a courageous teenaged heroine.

Two large-scale public art works by Lecturer Keith Bryant are prominently on view on the main campus of Central Piedmont Community College. “Procession” and “Journey” were installed at the end of June and will remain on loan for one year. 

The story of Little Red Riding Hood is so old, no one really knows its origin. But a new version published this summer by the Anchorage Museum in Alaska recasts the familiar tale as a celebration of language, diversity and self-determination.“Little Red Riding Hood: A New Translation” is the latest product of a three-year research project by Associate Professor of Art Marek Ranis into unique words in many languages that have no direct English translation. It is illustrated by alumna Hannah Barnhardt ’16.

Art students Malik J. Norman and Ajané Williams are among the 11 artists featured in an exhibition at Gallery C3, located in Charlotte’s South End district.Curated by Janelle Dunlap, the show “H20/20, Elemental Retribution” includes work by professional artists from Charlotte; Chicago; Columbia, South Carolina; and Pasadena, California.

Assistant Professor of Theatre Kaja Dunn delivered the keynote address at the Emergency Conference on Undergraduate Theater Education presented virtually by George Mason University. The recent conference was organized in response to the challenges to teaching and performing that are the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dunn’s lecture addressed “Teaching in Trauma.”

Alumna pools talent, resources to help produce “Be the Change” concert.

A virtual solo exhibition of new work by Associate Professor of Art Marek Ranis is on view through Toshkova Fine Art through July 26. The “Liminal” series includes seven large paintings on linen that depict the cracking and weathering of boulders, an artistic response to current research on how climate influences the mechanical breakdown rates of surface rocks.

Two new projects being developed through the School of Architecture’s Integrated Design Research Lab have each received 2020 Innovation Corps (I-Corps) grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Created in 2011, the I-Corps program is designed to support the commercialization of new technology discoveries in science and engineering.

The Nouveau Sud Circus Project, founded and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre CarlosAlexis Cruz, has been named a 2020 National Theater Project finalist by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). Chosen from among 90 applicants, the 28 finalists will now complete full applications for Creation and Touring Grants, ranging from $80,000 to $130,000, which fund the development and national touring of new work.

 A long-term multidisciplinary research project by the Integrated Design Research Lab (IDRL), under the direction of Associate Professor of Architecture Kyoung-Hee Kim, has received a Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I (STTR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).