Dinosaurs, laser shows and Japanese art only some of the activities offered
This year’s Arts and Culture Week came to a close with a grand finale of The Billy Nayer Show Concert and Pink Floyd laser show at Fiske Planetarium Wednesday Sept. 20.
“Arts and Culture Week has been really exciting because it has introduced some students to the museum,” said Hope Steffens-Nett, a member of the museum administration staff at CU. “A lot of students have come in and said that they didn’t even know the museum was here, so I am glad that they are finding out about it.”
The CU Museum of Natural History had a photography exhibit on display called “Faces of Hawaii: Diversity and Renaissance” during Arts and Culture Week. Although Steffens-Nett said “guys that visit the museum are usually more interested in the dinosaur eggs we have right now.”
Male students are not the only ones drawn to the museum for the dinosaur exhibit.
“I like dinosaurs, so I wanted to see the museum’s exhibition,” said Christie Smith, an open-option freshman. “It was unusual, and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Another popularly visited exhibit during the week was at the UMC’s Art Gallery, which is displaying art that illustrates Japanese internment. There was a reception at the gallery, and the artist came and spoke during lunch about his work.
Kyle Waldrop, a sophomore classics and English major said, “The artwork is moving. It’s a vivid representation of a tragic period in American history.”
The International Film Series, which also started last week, showed free films in honor of Arts and Culture Week. They will continue to show films through Nov. 16.
Unfortunately, many students did not attend any events, nor were they aware of Arts and Culture Week.
“I would have gone if I’d known about it,” said Jenn Ambrose, an open-option freshman. “I didn’t see it publicized at all.”
Of 50 people questioned while eating their lunches and studying quietly in the UMC, only two knew that Arts and Culture Week was happening and neither had gone to any events.
“I wish more people would have known about Arts and Culture Week,” said Lenny Armijo, a junior integrative physiology major. “I hope that they do it again next year and it is more successful because I think the people who did go to events this year had good experiences.”
