Arts and Entertainment

Nathan Jones (2015) tells stories through animation. Both of his UW degrees — creative writing and art — are reflected in is his work. 

Opportunities on campus and in the community that are free or discounted for UW students. 

"Americans spend more than half a billion dollars annually on 150 million units of imported Christmas lights. U.S. News & World Report ranks the best Christmas light displays. And ABC’s reality TV show “The Great Christmas Light Fight” recently premiered its 10th season. Christmas lights, in short, are not only ubiquitous but also central to American culture. But that has not always been the case. The man credited with popularizing Christmas lights in the early 20th century, Albert Sadacca, had never celebrated Christmas. In fact, he was a Jew from the Muslim world," writes Devin Naar, associate professor of history and Jewish studies at the UW.

Start the new year with lectures, performances, exhibitions and more.

Public Art is a tough genre, which might explain why most of it is so perfunctory, but a tour of Seattle's light rail stations unearths some striking artwork. School of Art + Art History + Design Assistant Professor Whitney and alum Mary Ann Peters are quoted. 

In the summer of 2018, 3,300 acres of the Olympic National Forest were set ablaze by poachers aiming to cut down maple trees. UW professors Daniel Hoffman and Lynn Thomas created a documentary, titled “The Maple Cutter,” about the incident — read writer Curran Nielsen’s interview with the filmmakers.

Nina Chanel Abney explores inequity and identity through vibrant prints at the Henry Art Gallery.

During choreographer Ronald Brown's residency in the Department of Dance,  undergrads gained confidence while learning one of his high-energy dances. 

After being scheduled to perform in 2020 as part of their tour to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the Juilliard String Quartet was finally able to present their contemporary tribute to the classical composer at the Meany Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

If you have the pleasure of running into Miha Sarani at his exhibit, “Amends,” you’ll see right off the bat that his enthusiasm and empathy are palpable both in person and in his art. Sarani, a Slovenian immigrant born and raised in Ljubljana, weaves a nonlinear web of personal reconciliation and exploration with his featured work.

If you have the pleasure of running into School of Art + Art History + Design Adjunct Lecturer Miha Sarani at his exhibit, “Amends,” you’ll see right off the bat that his enthusiasm and empathy are palpable both in person and in his art.

Winter brings shorter days and inclement weather, giving us more and more time inside. On the couch. Wondering what to watch. If you’re in between shows (or looking to add another one or two to the mix), find your fellow UW alumni on streaming services. These are a few of the Huskies we love to see on our small screens.

As true crime takes over our streaming services, it leads us to wonder — what’s up with our fascination with true crime? According to Stephen Groening, an associate professor in the department of cinema & media studies, there are two types of true crime media. Writer Hannah Bahram investigates the popularity of true crime media over the past few years.

At the beginning of September, it was announced that Sylvia Wolf, the director of the Henry Art Gallery since 2008, will be retiring. in spring 2023. Across her career, Wolf held a distinct and profound love for the gallery, as well as the university and city with which the gallery’s art, artists, and curators are in relentless dialogue.

The Seattle Times goes behind the scenes with a Burke Museum staffer to share memories and experience the new "Inside Out" exhibits.