That illumination is happening all around Grounds this spring, and we are proud to share just some of the people and the stories who are behind countless artistic endeavors resonating throughout our community and throughout the world.

There are few better examples of this than Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala – the most significant exhibition of bark painting ever to tour the United States. This extraordinary collaboration between The Fralin, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, and leading holders from the Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre in northern Australia spans nearly 9,000 miles and multiple cultures. It provides a major showcase of one of the most highly celebrated art forms in the world today while cementing the University of Virginia’s place at the center of this significant cultural movement.

You will learn about Meixin Yu, whose foray into cutting-edge virtual choreography in the Drama Department’s recent production of Everybody not only helped create magic on stage but also helped shape her future by pursuing an MFA in the subject at Carnegie Mellon University. 

We’ll introduce you to architecture student Ben Edlavitch, whose passion for his studies started with his love of LEGO and was cultivated by working alongside engineering and architecture projects with his beloved grandfather. Last year, the pair joined forces to appear on the Fox television series LEGO Masters for a project aptly titled “Bridging Generations.” 

You’ll also read the inspiring story of Molly Joyce, who has used one of her life’s greatest challenges to catapult herself into a fascinating and successful musical career. And these are just a few of the highlights. We hope you enjoy reading these stories half as much as we enjoyed bringing them to you. 

Jody Kielbasa
Vice Provost for the Arts
Executive Director, Virginia Film Festival
University of Virginia
Contact: uvaartsmagazine@virginia.edu