Former APSU Art Professor Schlanger to Have Work on Display at University
August 21, 2011
Clarksville, TN – For 19 years, Gregg Schlanger sauntered across the Austin Peay State University campus wearing a blazer, an untucked shirt and a ball cap pushed back on his head. He’d stop the students, faculty and staff members who crossed his path to make a joke or tease them affectionately.
He was unassuming and relaxed, but for those who knew him, he was a deeply serious artist whose work brought light to important social issues, such as the availability of drinking water in Third World nations. Earlier this summer, Schlanger ended his long tenure at APSU as professor and interim chair of the art department in order to head up the art program at Central Washington University.
B.W.R. 50 liters by Gregg Schlanger
APSU Salon Series to Feature Recipes of Famous Tennesseans
August 11, 2011
Clarksville, TN – Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, often enjoyed a nice slice of gingerbread. Alan Jackson, a famous country music star, thinks chicken salad really hits the spot. The tastes of these two well-known Tennesseans might not have much in common, but what they eat and how they came to enjoy certain foods is a fascinating part of the state’s cultural history.
“With every recipe comes a tale,” Gerald Gilman, Clarksville artist and arts advocate, said. “Food is evocative. It’s a call from the past.” [Read more]
Portraits of Famed Meriwether Family Donated to APSU
June 4, 2011
Clarksville, TN – In its heyday, the Woodstock Plantation, where the famed advice-columnist Dorothy Dix was born and raised, was a sprawling 5,000-acre farm that stretched from Montgomery County on up into Todd County, KY. The Meriwethers, a prominent 19th century farming family, owned the enormous estate, and their influence lingers in the area with roads and neighborhoods still bearing their name.
“They’re a very important family in this area,” Christopher Burawa, executive director of the Austin Peay State University Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, said.
19th century portraits of Charles Nicholas Minor Meriwether and his wife Caroline Huntley Barker Meriwether, two of the founders of Woodstock, and their oldest daughter, Nancy Minor Meriwether Ferguson.
APSU Remembers Legacy and Friendship of Late Composer Lee Hoiby
April 6, 2011
Clarksville, TN – In his later years, the renowned American composer Lee Hoiby was a quiet, slender gentleman with wavy gray hair and intelligent, often amused eyes. His appearance suited his style of music, which was reminiscent of the pleasing tunes of the early Romantic era and of his idol, Franz Schubert.
“His music is beautiful,” Gregory Wolynec, Austin Peay State University associate professor of music, said. “When we think of contemporary music, we frequently think of things that can be difficult for audiences to approach. But Lee Hoiby considered himself the caretaker of an heirloomed garden that started back with Mozart and Haydn, and even earlier than that.”
Lena Orgain, APSU Professor of Music Jeffrey Wood and the late American composer Lee Hoiby.
Poetry Out Loud State Championship Comes to APSU
February 28, 2011
Clarksville, TN – Christopher Burawa, an award-winning poet and director of the Austin Peay State University Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts, has a theory on how poems should be received. Works printed on a page are nice, but the true experience of poetry comes from hearing someone speak the words.
“Poetry is meant to be spoken aloud,” he said. “That’s when the power of the words – the music and rhythms – come alive and other levels of meaning arise.” [Read more]
APSU’s Gateway Chamber Ensemble Recognized on Grammy Nomination List
December 15, 2010
Clarksville, TN – Last week, the Grammy Award nominations were announced, and some of the expected names – Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and Eminem – were at the top of the list. But the Grammys recognize more than simply pop music, and if you were to scroll down that list, you would see the category for “Producer of the Year, Classical,” and the name Blanton Alspaugh.
Alspaugh’s name might not carry the weight in some circles as say a Lady Gaga, but in the classical music world, he’s a respected and revered producer. And, according to the Grammy website, one of the reasons he was nominated this year for a coveted Grammy Award stems from his work producing the first album for a chamber ensemble founded by several Austin Peay State University music faculty members. That group, the Gateway Chamber Ensemble, was also considered for nominations in three other categories, including “Best Small Ensemble Performance.”
Gateway Chamber Ensemble
World Renowned “Genius” Artist Meredith Monk Coming to APSU
October 18, 2010
Clarksville, TN – Last week, most major news outlets spent a few minutes highlighting the winners of the 2010 MacArthur Foundation Genius Awards. The recipients were individuals who, according to the Foundation, “have shown extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits.”
The MacArthur Fellows, as the winners are known, are rewarded with $500,000, which is considered an investment on their future accomplishments. They have gone on to become some of the country’s top artists and creative talents.
Meredith Monk (The Standing Room)
Do not Miss the Sixth Annual Clarksville Writer’s Conference
June 21, 2010
Writing is a lonely profession. Oh, sure, you have lots of company when you’re researching your project (unless all your research in on the Internet), but when you sit down and face that blank page, you’re on your own, my friend.
When an opportunity like the Sixth Annual Clarksville Writer’s Conference comes along, no writer can afford to miss it. Just rubbing shoulders with these highly successful people will give you impetus to keep on creating those masterpieces of your own.
Keep in mind, however, that you don’t have to be a writer to attend. You can be an avid reader and get a wealth of experiences from it too. [Read more]
Forever Plaid brings doo wop to the Roxy Regional Theatre
June 12, 2010
Austin Peay State University along with John McDonald and Tom Thayer of the Roxy Regional Theatre offered attendees of the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts’ Spring Salon Series a sneak preview of the upcoming Musical Forever Plaid.
John McDonald spoke in between musical numbers about the history of the Roxy Regional Theatre, and their plans for the future. They are currently seeking 1000 donors to contribute $1000 each to provide the funding which will allow them to begin the process of building the new Roxy Regional Center for the Arts. If you love the Arts in Clarksville, TN your name should be among the contributors!
Forever Plaid at the Spring Salon Series
June 11, 2010
Austin Peay State University along with John McDonald and Tom Thayer of the Roxy Regional Theatre offered attendees of the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts’ Spring Salon Series a sneak preview of the upcoming Musical Forever Plaid.
Christopher Burawa from the APSU Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts had this to say after seeing the preview yesterday said, “The 4 young actors bring it all: doo wop, plaid, and panache!”
