The University of the Arts has a major presence at the 2018 edition of Art Basel Miami Beach, going on this week, including an artistic “takeover” of the National Hotel there. Renowned alumni artists Hironaka & Suib (Nadia Hironaka BFA ’97 (Film) & Matthew Suib BFA ’95 (Photography)), Stephen (Espo) Powers ’93 and Deborah Willis BFA ’75 (Photography) are presenting their artworks across the hotel in an exhibition called “I’m here waiting for you”; the hotel’s façade is covered with 10-story University of the Arts banners; and UArts is hosting several major receptions at the National. A primary goal of this new event is to help UArts establish a high public profile at this important international exhibition, which features some of the world’s top artists, galleries, collectors and members of the arts community.

Read more information about the artists and the event >>

University of the Arts has launched a new website as the public touchpoint for Uniquely UArts—the Campaign for Creative Capital. Located at uniquely.uarts.edu , the site lays out the four areas of focus for the campaign: transforming our campus; supporting student success by enhancing the student experience; developing innovative programming; and investing in our faculty as leaders in their fields. It also displays the fundraising goal and current status of the campaign. Most importantly, the site highlights the students, faculty, alumni and friends who make the University “Uniquely UArts.”

The site will be updated regularly with new stories that reflect the impact that donors large and small have on the campaign, and the impact of that support. Please visit uniquely.uarts.edu and join this important effort.

Kelli Barrett BFA ’07 (Musical Theater) has been tapped to play stage and screen legend Liza Minnelli in the anticipated FX limited series Fosse/Verdon . Her character will be a recurring role. The eight episode series debuting in spring 2019 chronicles the personal and professional partnership between Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon in the context of the Hollywood and Broadway worlds and personalities they influenced and interacted with.

 

Barrett's credits include Gettin' the Band Back Together on Broadway as well as the films Rock of Ages and The Punisher .

 

Fosse/Verdon is co-executive produced by Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda and features Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams in the title roles.

Even in the giant shadow of Amazon, UArts alum Alexander Schneider BFA ’07 (Graphic Design) firmly believes in the power of brick-and-mortar community bookstores. Schneider and his wife, Christina Rosso-Schneider, are set to open the book-store-and-more A Novel Idea on Passyunk at 1726 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, in January .

The couple plans to spotlight local literature, along with thousands of general titles, with a major focus on promoting Philly-area writers. The space will also display and sell the works of visual artists, offer writing workshops, author readings, book clubs, open mic events and other activities.