The Year of Creativity took to the streets last week with a pop-up rendition of “The Time Warp” from “Rocky Horror Picture Show” on Friday morning at the Fifth Avenue end of closed Bigelow Boulevard.
A hearty group turned out in the chilly weather to dance alongside at least one person dressed as Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
The activities for the Year of Creativity are beginning to add up. The Office of the Provost is still seeking requests for proposals for grants of up to $5,000, particularly for projects that provide active engagement by participants.
A Spring Creativity Festival is being planned for March.
Upcoming Year of Creativity activities
Six Word Stories — A display of six-word stories about identity, which were created during a workshop on Nov. 4, will be on display near the first floor entrance of Hillman Library until Nov. 14. Notecards and pens will allow passersby to add their own statements to the installation. From 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 14, the six-word stories will re-displayed in the Thornburgh Room of the library for a gathering open to all members of the University community. Anu jain, a part-time instructor in Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, and a team of her fellow facilitators from Inclusant will return to campus to lead participants in a broader conversation, helping to identify the issues and themes that emerged and prompt attendees to consider ways that the overall campus community could be effectively responding to any actionable ideas. The reception is open to anyone, even if you didn’t participate in the workshop.
Bound & UnBound: Zine Hang at Frick Fine Arts Library — Zines are self-published works of original or found images and texts that reflect their creators’ passions and personalities. Experiment with techniques to make your own zine, get inspiration from the Frick Fine Arts Library’s zine collection, and pick up tips from other zinesters. No experience necessary: amateurs and beginners welcome! All materials plus free refreshments provided. Open to all members of the Pitt community. Pre-registration required. 7-9 p.m. Nov. 13
“The Wolves” — Pulitzer Prize finalist “The Wolves” is the debut play of up-and-coming playwright Sarah DeLappe, presented by Pitt Stages. The all-female cast chronicles six Saturday mornings in the lives of a soccer team somewhere in suburban America as they prepare for their games. The girls discuss everything from genocide to menstrual cycles to drugs to boys to literature to each other. In the course of six short weeks, the Wolves deal with love, loss, and identity in ways that real teenagers do. Nov. 14-24, 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre, basement of Cathedral of Learning. Tickets are $25, $15 for seniors, and $12 for students. Details: play.pitt.edu
Practically Pastel — Get ready to blend your heart out in this introduction to oil and chalk pastels, and make an original pastel piece. No art experience required: amateurs and beginners welcome. Pre-registration required. 3-4:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Center for Creativity, University Store on Fifth.
LAB 2: “Ordinary Days” — This original musical presented by Pitt Stages tells the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love and cabs. Through a score of vibrant and memorable songs, their experiences ring startlingly true to life. 8 p.m. Nov. 20-22, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 24, Henry Heymann Theatre, Stephen Foster Memorial. Tickets are $25, $15 for seniors, and $12 for students. Details: pitt.play.edu
Improvisation for Advising Conversations — Improvisation is becoming increasingly recognized as a critical skill for engaging in productive conversations, including for academic advising. Through a series of facilitated simulations and role-playing with real Pitt students, advisors will have a chance to learn, share and practice new approaches to bring to their advising work. Presented by: Olivia Hartle, Project Manager, and April Belback, Director of Undergraduate Advising and Mentoring, Office of the Provost. 1-4 p.m. Nov. 22, 121 Alumni Hall. Register here to attend.
Splatter, Blot, & Blow: Painting without Brushes — Fidget spinners, thread, toothbrushes, straws: there are all kinds of ways to paint without using traditional paintbrushes. No painting skills are necessary. We'll provide everything you need to make your own unique and unexpected art. Open to all members of the Pitt community. Pre-registration required. 3:30-5 p.m., Center for Creativity
Process Pouring — We'll start off with the acrylic pour process, but then we'll add a little bit of this and a little bit of that. This workshop is all about the process of making, not the end product. Pre-registration required. 3-4:30 p.m. Dec. 5, Center for Creativity
Bound & UnBound: A Celebration — Celebrate the work created in Bound & UnBound workshops this fall. Participants created and bound their own unique blank journals, wrote and made mini-books of original blackout poetry, and explored the DIY aesthetic of zines. We’ll have examples of their work on hand for inspiration, and you can make your own simple stitched booklet, check out a working letterpress, and have fun with other text and image based activities. RSVPs encouraged. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11, Center for Creativity
Find all Year of Creativity events at calendar.pitt.edu/year-of-creativity
— Susan Jones
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