South Carolina State University's Department of Visual and Performing Arts and the Visual Poets Art Club will present the 2009 Spring Arts Festival on Friday and Saturday, April 17-18.

The festival -- which will feature performances by students, faculty, staff and community artists in music, theater and the spoken word and include exhibits, seminars, workshops, an art sale and vendors -- will be held in the Fine Arts Building and the I.P. Stanback Museum and Planetarium on the campus of S.C. State. Registration packets, performance schedules and sign-up sheets for all workshops are available at the information table in the Fine Arts Building lobby.

As a prelude to the arts festival, at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in the Fine Arts Building recital hall, the Department of Visual and Performing Arts will acknowledge the contributions of Dr. Leo Twiggs, artist and professor emeritus at S.C. State, to the visual art program at the university in celebrating its recent accreditation by the National Association for Schools in Art and Design.

On Friday, April 17, the festival begins with a tour of the "James Brown: Preserving the Legacy" exhibition at 1 p.m., followed by a planetarium show from 2 to 3 p.m. at I.P. Stanback Museum. A special presentation from the Lorenzo de Medici study abroad program in Florence, Italy, by visual art student Joshua Davis will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the museum.

Visitors will then have the opportunity to watch live performances at the Fine Arts Building recital hall, including a string ensemble concert by S.C. State students, faculty and a special guest beginning at 5 p.m.; the introduction of "Resources for Social Change: Tools for Working in Community" learning exchange workshop by Alternate Roots Arts Organization at 6 p.m.; and the dramatic production "Skinny: One Woman's Journey to Fatt" by Ursula Orianna Robinson at 6:30 p.m.

S.C. State is seeking individuals and partners in the community to participate in the RSC workshop. The idea is to create an open dialog and brainstorm on creative possibilities for bridging the gap between the community and the university. To participate or for more information, call Kim LeDee at 803-516-4547 or e-mail kledee@scsu.edu. For more information about ARAO, visit alternateroots.org.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18, workshops, vendors, performances and an art exhibit will be held in the Fine Arts Building recital hall and outdoor amphitheater (in the lobby, in the event of inclement weather). Vendors will sell original works of art, crafts, jewelry, natural beauty products, temporary tattoos and more. The "Resources for Social Change: Tools for Working in Community" learning exchange workshop will be conducted from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 111.

Additionally, there will be three art workshops for children -- "This Little Shade" from 11 a.m. to noon, "Under My Umbrella" from 1 to 2 p.m. and "Hand Fans" from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building. S.C. State's Fine Arts Center Gallery will present "Palinpsest," an art installation by assistant professor of art Johnathan Walsh, April 15-May 15. Performances will include area praise dancers from 11 a.m. to noon; IBILE Afrikan Drummers and Dancers from noon to 1 p.m.; Ujimaa from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; S.C. State Contemporary Music Ensemble from 2 to 3:30 p.m.; a solo performance by Jonovan Cooper, assistant band director, from 5 to 6 p.m.; S.C. State Clarinet Choir from 6 to 7 p.m.; and spoken word by the New Danger Crew. DJ Jimmy Jam will entertain from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the recital hall, Moving Episodes dance group will present "Love Is in the Dance." Brian Williams, a dance instructor, choreographer and director of the university's Champagne Dancers, will direct this concert of contemporary ballet, jazz and modern dance performed by S.C. State students, faculty and staff. The movement will be accompanied by the music of such artists as Nina Simone, Jazmine Sullivan, Etta James, Kanye West, Richard Smallwood and more. For more information about or tickets to "Love Is in the Dance," call Williams at 803-533-3691.

For more information about the 2009 Spring Arts Festival, call LeDee at 803-516-4547 or e-mail kledee@scsu.edu.

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