Bluefield College showcased its fine arts programs during an open house event on campus, February 18, designed to tout the school’s art, music and theatre studies for prospective students.
Prospective students from as far as northern Virginia and as near as southwest Virginia attended the Fine Arts Showcase. Aimed at exposing prospective students and their families to the full fine arts experience at Bluefield College, the event included actual class attendance, interaction with current students and faculty, campus tours, participation in masterclasses, and performances by BC fine arts faculty and student ensembles.
“We have students from all over Virginia,” said Bryant Moxley, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Music. “They’re attending classes, workshops, individual sessions, concerts, and lots of other events that showcase our fine arts programs.”
The prospective students participated in actual classroom sessions, individual appointments with fine arts professors and admissions counselors, campus tours, visits to local art galleries, theatre workshops, art portfolio reviews, music and theatre scholarship auditions, voice and instrumental music masterclasses, a Fine Arts Showcase Faculty Performance, and a “Java and Jazz” session featuring the BC Jazz Band at the Quick Shott Café.
“This is a great opportunity to discover the Bluefield College community of actors, artists and musicians,” Moxley said. “For students considering a college major in art, art education, graphic communication, music, applied music, church music, music education, theatre or Christian drama, this is a great event.”
The Bluefield College Fine Arts Division has experienced significant growth and distinction in recent years, including the addition of a graphic arts communication major in 2006, an art study trip to Italy in 2009, musical performances at Carnegie Hall in 2006 and 2008, the creation of an instrumental music program in 2008, a music mission trip to Austria in 2010, theatrical mission trips to Poland in 2005, 2006 and 2008, the development of BC Children’s Theatre in 2007, and theatrical world premiere performance of “The Torchbearer” in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 2009.
“Our caring faculty and staff make it their mission to help students discover their fullest potential as a student, artist, performer and leader,” said Moxley, “and the Fine Arts Showcase helped students better understand what it means to pursue a degree in art, music or theatre and discern the path God has for them.”