BC Arts Festival
(Images above from the 2023 Arts Festival. Photos by Caitlin Cunningham, Frank Curran, and Lee Pellegrini)
The 26th annual Boston College Arts Festival will present impactful performances paired with whimsical activities and dramatic moments—all involving some 600 faculty, students, staff, and alumni artists in the BC community.
The theme of the 2024 festival, which takes place April 25-27, is “The Book of Us,” as its more than 40 events—including dance, theater, music, literature, film, makers, and showcases—tell stories through art, according to organizers. Events at the family-friendly festival are open to the public, and most are free of charge. The schedule will be available at bc.edu/artsfestival.
“I hope everyone stops by to celebrate the amazing growth of the arts on campus and simply has a good time enjoying the wealth of talent,” said BC Arts Council Chair and Professor of Theatre Crystal Tiala, who noted an important change this year: The Arts Festival Main Tent will move to the Mod Lot behind Robsham Theater Arts Center on Lower Campus with an exciting makeover of the schedule of events. There also will be a new concept for the juried Art Tent, located near the Main Tent, and better exhibition space in Robsham Theater.
Other event venues during the popular campus celebration are Robsham Theater, the Cabaret Room in Vanderslice Hall, and Gasson Hall.
Each year, the festival brings acclaimed alumni artists back to campus to be honored with Alumni Artist Awards, which recognize graduates who have demonstrated creativity, innovation, leadership, and vision through their contributions to the arts, and serve as role models to aspiring BC student artists. BC Student and Faculty/Staff Art Awards also are presented for accomplishments and contributions to the arts.
Shelagh Abate
This year's alumni honorees are musician Shelagh Abate ’97, who has extensive experience on Broadway and beyond, and Shannon Riley ’08, the CEO and founder of Building 180, which brings art and design projects to life.
An internationally renowned French horn player and educator, Shelagh Abate has a passion making music that transcends genres. She is a leading figure in the New York City freelance world and beyond, with versatile artistry in the classical, contemporary, commercial, and jazz idioms.
Shannon Riley
Shannon Riley’s full-service art production and consulting agency curates and produces uniquely complex art installations from conception to completion. She thrives on working within her community and believes in building confidence through creative efforts.
This year’s Faculty/Staff Art Award honoree is Lee Pellegrini, the director of photography in the Boston College Office of University Communications. Student Award winners are seniors Sindey Amar, Katy Gilmore, Thomas Griffin, Colin Klein, Bonnie Stewart, TeRoncé Williams, and Lucy Xiao; and juniors Xinran (Cina) He and Nicholas Vye; the winner of the Jeffery Howe Art History Award also will be announced. The BC bOp! jazz ensemble will receive the Student Group Artist Award.
More information about the Arts Award winners will be available at bc.edu/artsfestival.
The festival kicks off on April 25 with “The Artist’s Journey: Arts Council Award Ceremony,” at 4 p.m. in the Main Tent, where Abate and Riley will speak about their personal journeys and formation in their artistic fields. The event will be followed by a networking reception sponsored by the Alumni Arts Circle, with performances by BC bOp! and the University Chorale. There is no cost to attend the awards reception, but registration is required by April 24.
Among the many Arts Festival highlights will be “BC’s Best,” a showcase of student bands and singer-songwriters, and “Cultural Kaleidoscope,” a storybook of cultural evolution told through BC artists and performance groups.
New events this year include a student talent show, and “Festival Friday,” featuring an art show walk, crafting, and henna art. A “Community Day” will once again offer musical and theatrical events and other family activities, the McMullen Museum of Art will host an Earth Day celebration, and the Theatre Department/RTAC will stage “She Kills Monsters.”
“The Book of Us” theme was chosen by the Arts Council student staff, led by senior directors Sindey Amar, Megan Cassidy, and Emme DeVito, to focus on intentional storytelling to represent the depth and breadth of artistry at Boston College. It will be reflected in programming, including an outdoor gallery of artist portraits and statements, spoken word, music, and dance presentations. Organizers encourage the campus community to “take in all that the festival has to offer, one page at a time.”
Organized by the Arts Council, the BC Arts Festival includes sponsorship from the offices of the President and the Provost and Dean of Faculties, the Arts Council committees, Student Affairs, and the Dean’s Office of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, with support from the Alumni Association, the Boston College Police Department, the Boston College Bookstore, and BC Facilities and grounds crew members.