01 Mar 2025 UCA celebrates 25th Anniversary of the Artists in Residence Program

Posted at 9:41 AMh in News by

The University of Central Arkansas celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Artist in Residence (AiR) program in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences this year with an immersive program featuring artwork from past residencies. An event is planned for 3:30 p.m. on March 3 at the Baum Gallery and is open to the public.

The Interactive Labyrinth Experience by Sue Schroeder and Jay Stailey is displayed in the Baum Gallery on the UCA campus through March 6. The labyrinth is constructed from cans of soup that will be donated to UCA’s Bear Essentials Food Pantry. Schroeder and Stailey were on campus Feb. 17-20 as part of the Artists in Residence program. Schroeder is known for her immersive creations for Berlin’s Martin Gropius Bau Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Varmlands Museum, Karlstad and more. Stailey is an author, storyteller, and certified labyrinth facilitator. He has collaborated to create numerous labyrinths in the greater Houston Area and other temporary and permanent installations in nine countries, across four continents.

Meanwhile, the public may visit the Baum Gallery through March 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., to experience an interactive labyrinth designed by Jay Stailey and Sue Schroeder; a 3-D mapped video “Imagine If Buildings Could Talk” celebrating the rich history of Little Rock Central High School by Scott Meador and Blake Tyson; “United: The Acorn Project”, a Suffrage Centennial ceramic installation by Liz Smith; and a retrospective exhibit showcasing the past 25 years of the AiR program.

FROM TOP: Todd Solondz, filmmaker. Cameron Carpenter, organist. Tiffany Jackson, writer and filmmaker. Werner Herzog, filmmaker and actor. Fabiola Jean-Louis, multimedia artist.

“We are excited to celebrate the many successes of the Artists in Residence program’s last 25 years with the UCA community and others who join us,” said associate dean and program coordinator Gayle Seymour.

“Since its inception, the program, funded by arts fees, has brought hundreds of actors, creative writers, dancers, filmmakers, journalists, musicians, visual artists and others from around the world to campus,” Seymour said. “These artists give public performances, exhibits and student-focused presentations. Residencies have become an integral and vibrant part of the curriculum, benefiting students across all disciplines. AiR is unique in our state and region.” 

Two AiR alums exhibited their work: film producer Tara Sheffer, whose film “A Lien” is nominated for a 2025 Academy Award, and choreographer Sue Schroeder. whose latest work will be seen at the 2025 

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024-25, the UCA AiR program is funded by UCA arts fees with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing.