TJC plans 10th annual Arts Fest throughout April

Tyler Junior College has announced its 10th annual Arts Fest, to be held throughout April on the TJC main campus.

The festival is a collaboration of “The Bell Tower Arts Journal,” International Day, Tyler Museum of Art, and various TJC departments including art, dance, music, and theatre.

Student involvement is key to the festival’s success; each year, a competition is held among TJC students, to create an original Arts Festival logo. This year’s winner was Haley Wilmeth, a sophomore art major from Tyler who earned an associate degree in game and simulation development.

The festival will offer performances, exhibits, guest speakers, and more, at various times and locations across the TJC campus and the Tyler Museum of Art. All events are open to the public, but tickets are required for some performances.

TJC’s 32nd annual International Day will be held Tuesday, April 16, in the Apache Rooms of Rogers Student Center. In addition to an up-close look at music, food, and customs from around the world, the event will also include an opportunity for visitors to renew or apply for U.S. passports.

“April has always been our busiest time of year, in terms of the sheer volume of arts events happening on campus, so it made sense for us to package it and name it Arts Fest,” said Lara K. Smith, professor/chair of the TJC Departments of Communication Studies and Theatre and Arts Fest director.

“We love having company on our beautiful campus — and Arts Fest is a great time to pay us a visit and take in the many talents offered by our students and faculty.”

The festival offers works from each area of TJC’s Cultural Arts District, including musicians, singers, dance, art, and theatre productions.

A few of the festival’s featured events include:

• April 16: International Day
• April 19-21: TJC Academy of Dance presents “Peter Pan”
• April 23: Speech and Debate Team Showcase
• April 24: Thunderdome Art Competition
• April 24-27: Theatre TJC presents Tennessee Williams’ “Summer and Smoke”
• April 30: Journalism Photography Showcase and Art Sale

For a complete listing of events and times, go to TJC.edu/ArtsFest.