Joana Stillwell is an archivist and internationally exhibited artist whose work considers the roles of memory and perception. “The scent of rose as it was described to me” is on view from Sept. 5 to Oct. 20 in the Ridderhof Martin Gallery. An artist’s talk will be held on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m.

Assistive Technology Demo Day
Friday, October 18 | 11:30 – 1:30 pm | Gourley Living Room,
2nd Floor of the Cedric Rucker University Center
Assistive Technology (AT) changes lives, and many of us use it every day! See how high-tech and low-tech devices can support learning and every day activities. Come check out Assistive Tech Demo Day to play with and see AT in action at UMW.

2024 Gender and Sexual Minorities and Allies (GSMA) Cultural Celebration 10/21-10/26

Gender and Sexual Minorities and Allies (GSMA) Cultural Celebration Kickoff
Monday, October 21 | 4 pm | In front of Lee Hall (Rain Location: Chandler Ballroom)
Kick off PRISM’s annual celebration and join members and friends of PRISM to enjoy some delicious food (including mac ‘n cheese, fried rice, etc.), play games, get familiar with PRISM, and get pumped for the awesome events scheduled for this celebration!

Gender and Sexual Minorities and Allies (GSMA) Cultural Celebration Major Performance: Pretty Bitter
Wednesday, October 23 | 7 pm | Chandler C, Cedric Rucker University Center
Pretty Bitter is a DC Based indie pop group whose current lineup is composed of Mel Bleker, Zack Be, Miriam Tyler, Chris Smith, and Jason Hayes. Formed by Tyler and Bleker after the two bonded over shared musical touchpoints, they quickly began developing an audience for their easy to love blend of lush synth pop and emo-adjacent indie rock.

Gender and Sexual Minorities and Allies (GSMA) Cultural Celebration: heal + hang with Audreyonna Banks
Thursday, October 24 | 7 pm | Colonnade Room, Cedric Rucker University Center
Co-sponsored by the Women of Color Club
“heal + hang” is a group journaling workshop that aids in self-awareness and connection through shared experiences and perspectives that encourage BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks to center their mental health. The theme of the workshop is U.N.I.T.Y.: Establishing and keeping community with others, this activity is facilitated by Audreyonna Banks, a Certified Life Coach and Holistic Wellness Practitioner.

PRISM Prom: Mythos Under Moonlight
Saturday, October 26 | 8 pm | Chandler Ballroom, Cedric Rucker University Center
UMW Tickets: $3, General Public: $5
Join us for our annual PRISM Prom above the clouds!  Dress up in your (im)mortal prom attire or a representation of divine proportions, and come enjoy dancing, food, and drinks at this epic event.

UMW Chamber Choir and Indian Music Ensemble
Thursday, October 24 | 7:30 pm | Weatherly Wing, Seacobeck Hall
Come join the UMW Chamber Choir and Indian Music Ensemble for an exciting, cross-cultural evening of music.  Musical selections will include vocal jazz repertoire, folk and classical songs from northern and southern India (including several collaborative numbers involving both ensembles), and more!  Admission is free.

Asian Cultural Celebration Major Performance: Somapa Thai Dance Company
Wednesday, October 23 | 3 pm | Dodd Auditorium, George Washington Hall
Co-Sponsored by the UMW Music Department and the Leidecker Center for Asian Studies
The Somapa Thai Dance Company, based in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area, has been actively giving dance and music performances, presentations, classes, and workshops since 1999.  Key performers have over 30 years of performance experience, having been trained in Thailand with the most celebrated dance masters including National Artists and others from the prestigious Department of Fine Arts in Bangkok, Thailand.

The group has performed extensively in the D.C. Metropolitan area and has been invited to perform in many prestigious locations in and outside the U.S. The Somapa Thai Dance Company’s mission is to preserve and promote Thai culture and arts in the Americas. Through performances and workshops, the Company hopes to encourage understanding and appreciation of the arts between people of different countries, cultures and ethnicities in the communities in which we are invited.

For more information, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at (540) 654-1044 or umwjfmc@gmail.com. You may also visit students.umw.edu/multicultural. Please email us at umwjfmc@gmail.com if you have any questions regarding disability-related accommodations. 

Now that school is in session this fall, Saturday Open Houses on Oct. 19 and Nov. 9 are the perfect opportunity to get to know the University of Mary Washington. With an early Open House event date in September, UMW can be a family’s first visit on their college search, the first choice for students, and for many, the first to let students know they are in.

UMW Open Houses are free for students and families to attend and recommended for high school juniors and seniors as well as transfer students. High school seniors who have applied early to UMW can also sign up for an expedited application review and on-the-spot admission decision during any of the Open House dates.

“Open Houses at UMW are distinct from many colleges in the ways we customize them to the student experience. You’ll meet directly with current students; walk through academic programs to hear about more than 100 majors, minors and areas of study; and talk directly with faculty members who could be your lifelong mentors,” said Director of First-Year Admissions Sarah Lindberg. “For students who have already submitted an application and requested expedited review, you could leave that day celebrating, knowing that Mary Washington is your future college home.”

The Open House includes a campus tour, a visit to a residence hall, a dining experience on campus, academic interest sessions and detailed information on the Honors Program, Athletics, Transfer Admission and Financial Aid. In short, it’s a quick view of campus life, in the classrooms and beyond, as students share their internship, research and study abroad adventures.

Students who have applied to UMW can further benefit from the Open House by scheduling an in-person Taking Flight interview during their visit. This interview with the admissions team enhances an application and offers up to $2,000 in scholarship awards.

“We know there’s more to our students than what’s on paper. This personalized conversation adds depth to your application. It’s your chance to share what truly matters to you,” said Lindberg.

To register for an Open House, visit https://www.umw.edu/admissions/open-houses/. Complete your application at https://www.umw.edu/admissions/apply/.

Pay it Forward Day

October 19, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | CRUC Patio

Pay It Forward Day! October 19th, 2024. Take it and pay it forward. Sign up by visiting the link! bit.ly/PIFD24.

Community Outreach and Resources.

https://umw.presence.io/event/pay-it-forward-day-2024

The following message is from UMW Athletics:

UMW Students, Faculty and Staff,

UMW men’s soccer team has been ranked No. 1 for several weeks this season, and this month, we’ll visit Division I University of Virginia in Charlottesville for a 3 PM game on Wednesday, Oct. 30! UMW Athletics is pleased to purchase tickets for all UMW faculty, staff, and students interested in attending the game.

To reserve your ticket, please complete this form with the email to which we can send your electronic ticket. This offer will last until Oct. 20. Any interested parties will need to purchase tickets themselves after that date.

For questions, please contact Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Clint Often at coften@umw.edu

You are cordially invited to the opening receptions of two exhibitions at UMW Galleries this Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. Stop by the Ridderhof Martin Gallery and duPont Gallery to see the exciting ways we are beginning this academic year! Please spread the word and share with your classes.

In Ridderhof Martin Gallery, we are pleased to share the solo exhibition Joana Stillwell: the scent of rose as it was described to me. Joana Stillwell is an internationally exhibited artist born in the Philippines, raised around the Pacific, and currently based in Washington, DC. In her work as both an artist and archivist, Stillwell considers the roles of memory and perception, asking what stories get to be told, who gets to tell those stories, and what ultimately gets preserved. Using digital and material fragments, she investigates the collapse of virtual and physical spaces, as well as the growing overlap between memories, lived environments, and digital interfaces.

In duPont Gallery, we have an incredible collection of art by our own UMW Studio Art faculty in New Currents: UMW Studio Art Faculty 2024. The quality, diversity, and depth of UMW’s Studio Art program is reflected in the artwork of its talented and dedicated faculty, including returning faculty members Lindsay Arturo, Michael Dean, Larry Hinkle, Ashe Laughlin, Margaret Meehan, Chad Mundie, Jason Robinson, and Sarah White, as well as new faculty members Coorain Devin, Christine Orr, and Abed Shalabi. Please join us in celebrating these talented artists and educators.

Hours & Admission:

The exhibitions will be on view from September 5th to October 20th, 2024, in duPont Gallery and Ridderhof Martin Gallery, with opening hours Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is always free and tours are available.

An in-gallery artists’ talk with a selection of the faculty will be held on October 3rd, 2024, at 5pm in duPont Gallery.

An in-gallery artists’ talk with Joana Stillwell will be held on October 17th, 2024, at 5pm in Ridderhof Martin Gallery.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a class visit, please call (540) 654-1013 or email gallery@umw.edu. Visit us online at www.umwgalleries.org or in person at 1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.

Follow Us:

Facebook – umwgalleries

Instagram – UMW_Galleries

Thanks everyone, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Campus Dining and the UMW Athletic Department are co-sponsoring Sodexo’s annual “Stop Hunger” food drive from October 21^st-October 30^th. We hope to get a broad campus and community participation in this food drive, so that we can help our campus pantry, the Gwen Hale Resource Center, as well as Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank get the resources they need to feed hundreds of families experiencing food insecurity. Here are some items they like to keep in stock:

·         Mac n’ Cheese
·         Canned Fruit
·         Rice
·         Instant Potatoes
·         Canned Vegetables
·         Dehydrated Milk
·         Dry or Canned Beans
·         Canned Meat
·         Pasta & Sauce
·         Hot or Cold Cereals

Courtesy of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, there will be collection bins for each team and support staff group located on the main level of Goolrick Hall throughout these dates. Please consider helping out where you can!

Homecoming 2024 is coming up! Get in on the fun with pregame events, tailgating, a beer garden and more, plus plenty of athletics events. Find more details.

On Monday, October 28, the Khatib Program will host “The Gospel in Politics and Public Service” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (reception after the event) in Chandler Ballroom A. A panel of local political leaders and activists will discuss their understandings of Christianity and how it informs their public service.