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September 2015
Game Art

UArts Launches New Game Art Program for Fall 2016
 
The University of the Arts is now accepting applications for a new BFA program in Game Art launching in fall 2016. Led by Associate Professor and alumna Michelle Rothwell MID '97 (Industrial Design), who also serves as director of the BFA in Design, Art + Technology, the Game Art program's philosophy is project-based and highly interactive, allowing students to learn both individual and team-based skills to become effective creative partners in the professional world. Aesthetic training begins with timeless fundamentals: drawing, 3D design and concept development. Students will also learn to enhance models and environments with convincing textures, lighting and visual effects, and master basic and advanced principles of art and animation so that their work stands out.
 
 
Apply now >>
 
The Holy Family

Alumnus Creates Painting for Papal Visit
 
Artist Neilson Carlin BFA '92 (Illustration), who was commissioned by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, has created a painting for the World Meeting of Families and the visit from Pope Francis that will take place in Philly September 22-27, 2015. The 4' x 5' oil painting, titled "The Holy Family," will be on display throughout that week to the more than 1 million visitors who are expected to attend. The "icon painting" will be on permanent display in Philadelphia's Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul after the event.
 
Read more about the painting >>
 
With up to 1.5 million visitors expected during the week of the World Meeting of Families and the papal visit, large portions of Center City Philadelphia will be inaccessible to all but foot traffic. In response to final recommendations by the City to schools and universities in the area, the University of the Arts will close on Thursday, September 24 at 1 p.m. and remain closed through Monday, September 28. UArts will reopen on Tuesday, September 29.
 
Read more about the papal visit closures at UArts >>
 
Rapture Blister Burn

Brind School Students, Faculty, Alumni Dominate List of 2015 Barrymore Award Nominees
 
Students, faculty and alumni from the University's Ira Brind School of Theater Arts dominated the list of nominees for the 2015 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, presented annually by Theatre Philadelphia and recognizing the best of Philadelphia theater. Winners will be named at a ceremony on November 2 at UArts' Merriam Theater. Among the highlights are the Lifetime Achievement Award to retired faculty member Johnnie Hobbs Jr. and the multiple nominations for the Wilma Theater's production of "Rapture, Blister, Burn," which earned a nod for its director, Brind School Director Joanna Settle.
 
Read more >>

Above: Scene from "Rapture, Blister, Burn" featuring Barrymore nominee Campbell O'Hare BFA '14 (Acting) [left] and Assistant Professor Krista Apple-Hodge [right].
 
Biomeme

ID Alum Featured in 'Core77' Design Blog    
 
Two projects by Devin Sidell BS '07 (Industrial Design) are featured on Core77.com, the leading blog for industrial designers. The Biomeme One3 (pictured above) turns the iPhone into a DNA analysis engine, while the Grow Pod creates a safe microenvironment for the growth of a vegetable seedling. Sidell, who is the lead industrial designer at Likuma Labs in Philadelphia, has been awarded three design patents and has had numerous other products brought to market.

Read more about Biomeme One3 >>

Read more about Grow Pod >>
 
Freelusion

Dance Alums Advance to Finals on 'SYTYCD,' 'AGT'     
 
Virgil Gadson CERT '07 (Dance) and DJ Smart BFA '11 (Dance) [pictured above] are tearing it up this summer, with Gadson making it into the Top 4 on the Fox hit series "So You Think You Can Dance" and Smart advancing to the semi-finals on NBC's "America's Got Talent." Gadson, who made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning jazz revue "After Midnight," will dance in the "SYTYCD" finale on Monday, September 7. Smart and his interactive 3D dance group Freelusion, who are competing for the top prize of $1 million on "America's Got Talent," will perform live on Tuesday, September 8.

Watch Virgil Gadson perform >>

Watch DJ Smart perform >>
 
Alumni Weekend banner

Join Us for Alumni Weekend: October 16-18 
 
On October 16-18, the University of the Arts will welcome family, friends and alumni back to Center City Philadelphia to connect with one another and experience campus life. This year's Alumni Weekend will feature several events exclusively for you, our alumni, that you won't want to miss. Starting with a Welcome Back Happy Hour on Friday evening and ending with a Farewell Brunch on Sunday morning, we look forward to seeing you on the Avenue of the Arts this fall!

More about Alumni Weekend >>

Register now >>