It’s in the remarkable work being done in the smallest studios and on the largest stages. It’s in the collaborations taking place, and the resulting work that regularly contributes to local, regional, national, and international audiences.

As we celebrate the arrival of President James E. Ryan, the University as a whole is full of a powerful energy that is inspiring us all to redouble our efforts to continually bring out the best of the University and point, together, toward an exciting future.

Our goal with this edition of the UVA Arts Magazine is to capture that energy and share it with you. For instance, you’ll hear about Jenny Wales’s exciting and successful first season as Artistic Director of Heritage Theatre Festival. We’ll share a fascinating piece set at the intersection of ancient past and thrilling present with a look at the highly acclaimed Fralin Museum exhibition Reflections: Native Art Across Generations. The exhibition, curated by Adriana Greci Green, Curator of Indigenous Arts of the Americas, pairs works of 19th Century Native American artists, largely from the museum’s growing collection of indigenous Native American art, with contemporary works that showcase the deep influence the culture continues to have on art and artists today.

We’ll check in with alumni who are making their mark in the world of the arts, including actor Jason George, star of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and the spinoff drama Station 19. Jason shares his formative UVA experiences and ongoing influences, as well as remembering his performance as Martin Luther King, Jr. delivering the iconic I Have a Dream speech at the 2017 Bicentennial Launch Celebration.

And with all this talk of energy, it is only right that we recognize a man and a foundation who provide individuals and organizations across Grounds with the fuel it takes to turn that energy into art. We’re proud to shine a spotlight on the Joe Erdmann and The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. And we will give you our usual window into the incredible work being done across all of our departments and programs.

Best,

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