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Visiting Artist Noah Breuer

Mar 22, 2023

Noah Breuer's mixed media prints, which include frottage, non-traditional supports, and cast paper, examine the visual legacy of his family's former textile printing business, founded in 1897 in Bohemia. In 1939 the company, along with all other Jewish-owned property in German-occupied areas, was confiscated and sold to Nazi-approved owners.  Most of these family members were killed in Auschwitz. In 2016, Bruer discovered records of family designs thought to be lost. The rich digital collection of these patterns and images has been a springboard for creating various printed works on paper and fabric, as well as installations and glass objects. These artworks resurrect the fruits of his ancestor's labor and reinterpret them through the artist's eyes. For more information about the artist, click the link to visit his website: Noah Breuer

Photos from the Exhibition:

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UAH’s 2023 Dance and the Humanities series continues with Musical Theatre

Mar 08, 2023

Friday’s severe weather subsided just in time for the second event in UAH’s 2023 Dance and the Humanities series. UAH faculty and students gathered in the Student Services Building Friday night to hear Broadway dancer & choreographer Chloe Davis, The University of Alabama Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Alvon Reed, and St. John Paull II High School Drama Director Mari Adams discuss the iconic dance genre of Musical Theatre. The dialogue opened by tracing the evolution of the genre, from classic musicals like Oklahoma! to contemporary shows like Hamilton, and by discussing how dancing, singing, and acting synergistically combine to tell stories uniquely compared to traditional theatre. Although the St. John Paull II Drama students were unable to attend, Director Mari Adams exemplified the saying that “The show must go on” by bringing a video of two of their past performances. The video clips were a natural segue to discussing approaches to teaching musical theatre, the impact of Covid on teaching, auditions, and performances, and finally, the benefit of musical theatre to participants and audience alike. “Musical Theatre is meant to be live,” said Adams; “It’s a group experience.” Reflecting on the diversity of stories told via live musical theatre on Broadway and at community theaters and high schools across the country, Reed explained that the art form helps us to “see the complexity of the American experience.” On Saturday, two dozen students from UAH, Alabama A&M, St. John Paul II High School, and Dance Theatre of Huntsville gathered for a Musical Theatre master class led by Davis. In addition to teaching choreography and working with students on technique, Davis also educated the dancers and audience on the history of the style of musical theatre dance they were learning. One participant commented that Davis’ “unique way of teaching the dance skills was awesome.” Another appreciated that the master class “Exposed me to something different and unique.” The UAH Humanities Center sponsors the Dance and the Humanities series. The goal is to bring together global and local artists to explore the intersection of dance and the human condition with a particular focus on underrepresented dance forms and artists. The third and final event will spotlight Ballet. On April 13, Phillip Otto, Artistic Director for the Huntsville Ballet, will give a talk and lead a “behind the scenes” walkthrough with the dancers and creators of their upcoming show Cinderella. For more information, please contact the co-organizers Dr. Dylan Baun (dylan.baun@uah.edu) and Dr. Jennifer Sims (jennifer.sims@uah.edu) or go to uah.edu/ahs/events...

Photography Exhibit "Here there be…" by Sean Berry

Feb 27, 2023

Photography major, Sean Berry, suffered a retinal detachment about three years ago. This was at the time when he would be taking his most important photography classes. Throughout his light therapies to regain vision, he found a new and more contemplative appreciation for "unfocused light, shadow, and color." Berry describes it as the "area in-between." The title here there be, refers to what "was provided on ancient maps as a warning for unexplored territories of potential danger." Sean Berry's exhibit lets the viewer take in the subtle details but also see the photographs from the emotional state of the photographer.

For more information on the artist Sean Berry:

• Snapshots2.godaddysites.com
• @Seanberry208

Photos of the Exhibit: 

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UAH Art, Art History & Design Hosts Faculty Show 2023

Feb 24, 2023

The 2023 Faculty Exhibit featured works from The University of Alabama in Huntsville's Department of Art, Art History & Design.  The show included creative pieces incorporating painting, mixed media, photography, and more.  For more information on our Department and Galleries, please get in touch with art@uah.edu

Sample Online Gallery of Exhibit

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2023 Dance and the Humanities series kicked off with West African Dance

Feb 21, 2023

The 2023 Dance and the Humanities series kicked off last weekend with two events focused on the art and culture of West African Drumming and Dance. Friday night the international artists of Africa Nashville joined Huntsville’s own Dance Theatre of Huntsville for a panel discussion and dialogue. Saturday morning there was a community Masterclass. About 125 people were in attendance Friday and the event was interactive from the start. Agathe Moubembé, Sory Diabeté, Mohamed “Dho” Cisse, and Ibrahima Dioubate, the four members of Africa Nashville, began with a drumming and dance demonstration during which they invited children in the audience to come forward to try some of the dance moves. The bilingual (English & French) panel dialogue that followed included the artists plus Windship Boyd, who is an artist, choreographer, and instructor of dance at Middle Tennessee State University. Among the topics discussed was the mutually constitutive and synergistic relationship between drummers and dancers in West African traditions. The panelists also talked about the important place of dance and drumming in their respective cultures and explained how these art forms are passed down as a tradition from parent to child. Dance Theatre of Huntsville’s Performing Company demonstrated how this tradition continues to be a part of the culture of members of the African diaspora. The youth dancers showcased two dances, one that was more traditional and a second that blended elements of West African dance with US contemporary dance. During the dialogue, Monique Ryan, the founder and artistic director of Dance All Productions and Dance Theatre of Huntsville, explained the importance of passing on these traditions to African American youth in Huntsville. During the Q&A, audience members asked questions that spanned the topics of dance, music, history, and sociology. One audience member said they “enjoyed the cultural discussion behind the dancing.” A reception followed, and children and grandparents alike took the opportunity to try drumming and dancing or to simply chat with the artists. On Saturday morning, the CTC Exhibition Hall was filled with sounds of drumming and clapping as Africa Nashville led an instructional masterclass. While the others drummed, Dho Cisse demonstrated a number of choreographed steps which the attendees learned and practiced. One attendee said that, “It's so neat how even though there was a language barrier, dance was the only language we needed.” About 40 people attended the Masterclass, including several members of the Alima Dance Company, the premier dance company at Alabama A&M University. They said they came to the Dance and the Humanities event because “We pride ourselves in being a diverse dance group. Ballet, African, tap, jazz. So any opportunity that is available we take it.” Dance and the Humanities is sponsored by the UAH Humanities Center. The goal of the series is to bring together global and local artists to explore the intersection of dance and the human condition with a particular focus on underrepresented dance forms and artists. The next opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and practice of a genre of dance will be March 3 - 4 when UAH hosts a dialogue and masterclass on Musical Theatre dance. The final event in the series will spotlight Ballet and will be on April 13. For more information, please contact the co-organizers Dr. Dylan Baun (dylan.baun@uah.edu) and Dr. Jennifer Sims (jennifer.sims@uah.edu), or go to uah.edu/ahs/events. 

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Animation Professor Vincent Argentina named RCEU Faculty Director

Feb 17, 2023

Academic Affairs and the Faculty Senate are pleased to announce that Vincent Argentina, Associate Professor of Art, Art History, and Design, has been named Faculty Director of the Research/Creative Experience for Undergraduates Program (RCEU). Professor Argentina teaches courses in computer animation, hard surface modeling, and game scripting and design, among other subjects. Professor Argentina runs the Commercial Arts and Technology Lab (CAT) in the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Research Center (RSESC) and has worked with colleagues across campus--including faculty in Education, Engineering, and Nursing--on collaborative projects concerning technology-assisted cognitive training in aging adults and VR training for defense projects. He has also served as a production designer for UAH Theatre. Professor Argentina previously worked in the video game industry and brought that experience to our campus, coordinating the annual ChargerCon gaming and technology expo and helping to pioneer the Game Design and Development Minor. In his time at UAH, Professor Argentina has participated in numerous RCEU projects with students and we look forward to his leadership of this important program. For questions about The Department of Art, Art History, & Design, please contact art@uah.edu ...

New Podcast Envisions Huntsville as a Twenty-Third Century City

Jan 04, 2023

The University of Alabama in Huntsville students are envisioning Huntsville as a twenty-third-century city, and have released a new podcastto explore the Rocket City’s potential. The Huntsville is Liminal Space podcast presents the concept of liminality, an in-between space where dynamic transformation occurs, as a vector for innovation and visionary problem-solving among industry, government, humanities, and human capital. Produced by students in the UAH College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, each episode examines public problems and opportunities in four liminal spaces--- environment, education, civil rights and liberties, and the cosmos. Provocative episodes such as Spaced Out: Fixing Urban Sprawl and Transforming Huntsville into a Green City, and Expedition Education, thoughtfully confront problems that the city must jettison as it leads the way to space. Guests include Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards; Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) President Matt Massey; Ankur Shah, a geospatial data analyst and environmental educator, and; Brenda Hampton, founder of Concerned Citizens of West Morgan and East Limestone (WMEL). The Huntsville is Liminal Space podcast is the culminating project of students in an experimental federalism and intergovernmental relations course. Students assembled in micro think tanks, or quad pods, to assess Huntsville’s liminal capacity for transformative change. Their fascinating findings provide rich context for each episode. Sponsored by the UAH Humanities Center, the podcast is at artemisgen.org. For more information, contact Dr. Noelle Hunter, nh0046@uah.edu.

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Adventures in Communication Studies Kicks off College Wide Career Development Series in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Dec 02, 2022

The Communication Arts Department in collaboration with CAHS Career and Internships kicked off a new career development series on November 4th, 2022. Held in Morton Hall, the event featured four panelists of industry professionals including Michele Armstrong, Joshua Ewell, Jalyn Ignont, and Michael Allen. Students and faculty attended the panel discussion which focused on not only the professional world of communication but also networking and resume building tips. Communication Arts Department lecturer, Anthony Greer, stated,

“[students] having the opportunity to hear from people who are [working in the professional setting] on a regular basis is an incredible opportunity.”

In response to a question about the communication skills used within the workplace, the panelists spoke about the importance of collaboration, listening, and understanding the organizational structure. Panelist Joshua Ewell stated, “For me it’s how to best deliver the message in order to get the end result that I’m trying to get.” The panelists ended their discussion by providing valuable feedback to students on navigating work after the pandemic. They discussed the role of remote work in each of their jobs and how it is changing the landscape of organizations. The Communication Arts major provides students with practical, critical, historical, and theoretical perspectives on human communication that prepares them for work, social life, and further academic studies. Interested in learning more? Be sure to check out UAH's Communication Arts website. Hosted jointly by Departments and CAHS Career & Internships, the Adventures In series invites professionals within our community to come speak to students about how their connected major in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences impacts their career today. Want to join in on the fun? Contact us at cahs-careers@uah.edu to request a speaking opportunity in 2023!...

The UAH Department of History connects current students with alumni

Sep 16, 2022

September 16, 2022     I     Anastasia Smith (Sophomore, Political Science & History) 

The History Department’s Alumni/Jobs Dinner brought many current and former students together to discuss what can be done with a History degree. Not only did the event have good food, but it also had inspiring alumni working in a wide range of professions. The range of alumni jobs demonstrated a history degree’s flexibility: jobs represented ranged from an archaeologist to a Program manager for the Department of Defense to the managing editor of a Huntsville journal. Several students, initially insecure about their degree choice, left the dinner feeling confident with their decision and ability to get a job after graduation.

As one student put it, “It definitely made me want to stick with history because the alumni really got me interested in what they do for a living.”

Overall the Alumni Dinner was a very inspiring event that illustrated the broad spectrum of careers and opportunities students pursuing this degree can look forward to in the future.

Photos from the Dinner courtesy of Michael Mercier, University Photographer 

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UAH co-hosts The Joy of Juneteenth with Dr. Opal Lee

Sep 13, 2022

September 6, 2022 | Nicholaos Jones The Humanities Center at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), in partnership with United Women of Color (UWOC), recently hosted The Joy of Juneteenth with Opal Lee, a multi-event program spread across the City of Huntsville. Dr. Opal Lee is a former education and long-time activist who was present in the White House when President Joseph Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act on June 17, 2021. This Act establishes June 19, or “Juneteenth,” as a federal holiday—the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1983. The Juneteenth holiday commemorates the anniversary of the last African American slaves being freed in Texas in 1865, two and one-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Dr. Lee’s invitation to the White House, and her nickname as “Grandmother of Juneteenth” derives from her walking 2.5 miles in various cities between Fort Worth, Texas and Washington D.C. in order to raise awareness about the significance of Juneteenth. The Joy of Juneteenth with Opal Lee was a collaboration of the UAH Humanities Center and UWOC with Alabama A&M University, the City of Huntsville, Highlands Elementary School PTA, Madison County Commission District 6, Oakwood University, and St. John AME Church. Regarding the program, Dr. Nicholaos Jones, Director for the Humanities Center, remarks, “Just as the Tennessee River derives its strength and splendor from many contributing streams, Juneteenth’s recognition as a federal holiday is the outcome of many voices over many years. Dr. Lee’s efforts, as an activist, author, and educator, have been—and continue to be—instrumental in helping to achieve this recognition. The planning by so many groups to bring Dr. Lee to Huntsville are a fitting testament to Dr. Lee’s efforts, and I believe it is also a model for how universities and community organizations can work together to enrich our city.” Dr. Lee’s visit to Huntsville spanned three days. On Saturday, August 27, Dr. Lee met with Ms. Violet Edwards, Madison County Commissioner for District 6, as well as other local dignitaries for a welcoming reception at the Bob Harrison Senior Advocacy and Wellness Center. On Sunday, August 28, she attended morning service—and made some brief remarks—at St. John AME Church in downtown Huntsville. Dr. Leslie Pollard, Oakwood University’s President, offered some remarks connecting Dr. Lee’s activism with Frederick Douglass’s question, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Mr. Jeremy Sovoy Jordan directed a musical selection from The Aeolians of Oakwood University, and Oakwood English major Ms. Makayla Mattocks introduced Dr. Lee to the audience. After some brief remarks, Dr. Lee then posed for pictures with attendees and signed copies of her book, Juneteenth: A Children’s Story. (The UAH Humanities Center distributed 100 signed copies of this book to attendees.) Dr. Lee began Monday, August 29 with a visit to Highlands Elementary School. Students from Kindergarten through Grade 3 greeted her by waving pompoms and chanting “Dr. Lee! Dr. Lee!” During a brief reception, Dr. Lee met with Highlands staff and faculty, administrators from Huntsville City Schools (HCS) and the HCS Board of Education, and representatives from the Huntsville Council of PTAs. As part of Highlands’ ongoing literacy initiative, Story Time with Principal Dixon, Dr. Lee then read her book to students in Grades 4 through 6. HCS’s ETV also provided streaming access to local schools, and the UAH Humanities Center subsequently donated a signed copy of Dr. Lee’s book to each public school in Huntsville. On Sunday, August 28, she attended morning service—and made some brief remarks—at St. John AME Church in downtown Huntsville. On Monday afternoon, Dr. Lee journeyed to Alabama A&M University. She received a guided tour of the campus in one of A&M’s zero-emission electric buses. Dr. Lee then attended a luncheon in the Knight Center with Dr. Daniel Wims, Alabama A&M’s President, as well as representatives from Zeta Phi Beta, Dr. Lee’s sorority.  Dr. Lee concluded her visit to Huntsville with a Monday evening appearance at UAH. Dr. David Puleo, UAH’s Provost, received Dr. Lee at a small reception. Dr. Sean Lane, Dean for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at UAH, then welcomed Dr. Lee and guests to a well-packed Charger Union Theater. Mr. Tommy Battle, Mayor of Huntsville, issued a proclamation declaring August 29 Opal Lee Day in the City of Huntsville. WAFF’s Margo Gray concluded the evening by moderating a discussion with Dr. Lee about the history and significance of Juneteenth.  Reflecting upon Dr. Lee’s visit, Ms. Angela Curry (B.A. Political Science, 2000), Executive Director for United Women of Color, remarks, “We were honored to work with the Humanities Center to provide this educational opportunity to Huntsville. Dr. Lee’s visit was nothing less than remarkable. At each event, her boundless energy and authenticity inspired everyone in her presence. Her words, ‘become a committee of one,’ boast the values of unity and collaboration that are foundational to United Women of Color’s methods of service.”

Photo Gallery of Dr. Opal Lee's Visit

Photo Credit James Dr. Teed  ...