Watts Gallery, Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

Nez, as she’s called, spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy and endured three combat tours, followed by two bedridden years battling cancer and debilitating depression. Her therapist wrote a prescription for her: watch Bob Ross videos. It wasn’t long before those "happy little trees" won her over. She wanted to paint, but her illness had taken away the dexterity and motor skills necessary for painting. She eventually came across a method of painting that involved mixing paint and a medium in a cup, pouring it over canvas and moving it around. “The minute I flipped that paint cup over, I found my ‘flow,’” she says. Nez’s work will be on display in the Goode Center’s Henry and Eleanor Watts Gallery through the month of November. Read More

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center

Lucas Hnath's play about faith in America continues. The Virginia Wesleyan Theatre Department, in association with the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom and the VWU Music Department is set in a mega-church where the pastor has just finished a major renovation and delivers a sermon on salvation that divides the congregation. Tensions over debt and doctrine play out in the performance. Directed by Batten Professor of Theatre Dr. Sally Shedd. $5-10 | vwu.tix.com | Free to VWU students, staff, faculty.

November 2, 7:30 p.m.

November 3, 2:00 p.m.*

*Talkback Session: Immediately following the November 3 performance, Director Sally Shedd and Craig Wansink, the Joan P. and Macon F. Brock Jr. Director of the Center for the Study of Religious Freedom, will lead a talkback discussion focused on the major points of tension in the play. Part of the On Deck Series sponsored by The Lighthouse.

Theatre Department

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 11:00 a.m.

The National Endowment for the Arts Accessibility Director speaks on “Creative Forces.” This partnership between the NEA, the Department of Defense, and the Veterans Affairs serves the needs of military patients and veterans with traumatic brain injuries and psychological health conditions, along with their families and caregivers, using Creative Arts therapies such as Music Therapy, Art Therapy, and Theatre Therapy. Free and open to the public.

The Arts at VWU

Watts Gallery, Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Wayla Chambo, flute, and Todd Holcomb, guitar, perform Piazzolla’s Nightclub 1960 (Histoire du Tango), Mahoney’s Shining River, and Dausend’s arrangement of Bach’s Suite in c, BWV 997, and Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Sonatina, Op.205., among others. Chambo, with a DMA from the University of North Texas, is an avid explorer of new music and host of Afternoon Classics on WHRO-FM. Holcomb, winner of top prizes in numerous competitions, earned the DMA in classical guitar from Shenandoah University and is also a member of the VWU Performing Artist faculty. $10-20 | vwu.tix.com | Free to VWU students, staff, faculty. 

Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series

Watts Gallery, Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:00 p.m.

VWU professor Jason Squinobal (saxophone) is joined by Joel Sanford (piano), Evan Shackly (guitar), Will McPeters (bass), and Mike Laubach (drums) in a free informal evening of jazz in the Watts Gallery, which features art by Nez during the month of November. Light refreshments and cash bar. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Music Department

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Steinway Concert Artist Castell-Jacomin has been hailed by critics and audiences in solo concerts at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Carnegie Hall, in festivals throughout the USA, and as soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic. A recent collaboration on Mozart with the Wiener Kammer Symphony Quintet on Naxos rounds out his extensive discography.  This performance features Klavierstucke E moll Major D.9 (Schubert), Sonata quasi una fantasia, Op.27, No.2 (Beethoven), Polacca, Op.26, No.1 and Prelude, Op.28, No.15 (Chopin), among others. $10-20 | vwu.tix.com | Free to VWU students, staff, faculty.

Virginia Wesleyan University Concert Series

Neil Britton Art Gallery (Hofheimer Library)

Opening Awards Reception: November 21, 6-8 p.m.

The power of creativity offers a response in this age of gun violence, lockdown drills, and a media landscape of perpetual violence. Juried artworks by area high school students will demonstrate the power of art to create an outlook of hopefulness. Artmaking is an assertive act providing young makers with a measure of control, and a unique ability to allow for expression, discovery, and the possibility of change.

Entries are accepted until November 5 at 5 p.m. Individual or group collaborations are acceptable in any medium. Students/teachers must submit photos of work in .jpeg or .pdf format to jrudel@vwu.edu and must include student/group name, email/contact information, school/organization, title of work, dimensions and media. Notifications will be sent by November 12. 

Neil Britton Art Gallery

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

VWU’s student jazz ensemble performs under the direction of Dr. Jason Squinobal. Free and open to the public.

Music Department

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

VWU’s student orchestra performs under the direction of Kelby Schnepel. Free and open to the public.

Music Department

December 6-7

A Wesleyan Christmas: Letters to Santa

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

The VWU choirs perform traditional and contemporary Christmas music. $10-15 | vwu.tix.com | Free to VWU students, staff, faculty.

December 18

Heritage Holiday Concert

Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band ensembles bring a holly, jolly holiday to the stage. Free and open to the public.

The Arts at VWU