Everything Nac

The 2015-2016 Children's Performing Arts Series at SFA opens with "Fly Guy & Other Stories" on Friday, Oct. 16, with performances at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and the Children’s Performing Arts Series have announced the fun and exciting shows that will make up the 2015-2016 CPAS season.

“The Children’s Performing Arts Series is committed to bringing the finest in affordable professional companies to East Texas young people and their teachers,” said Diane Peterson, manager of the SFA Fine Arts Box Office and director of the series. “In the spotlight for the 2015-2016 season are five exciting national touring productions designed to educate and entertain a variety of age groups.”

The new season begins with “Fly Guy & Other Stories” on Friday, Oct. 16. In this Theatreworks USA production, seven delightful stories come to life in this musical revue based on popular children’s books, including “Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl,” “Diary of a Worm,” “Fluffy the Classroom Guinea Pig,” “Horace & Morris but Mostly Dolores” and others. Performed by a multi-racial cast, the stories represent various issues, themes and ideas relevant to a broad and diverse audience of children. Stories are subject to change. The show targets children in prekindergarten through fifth grades.

Perfectly timed for the 2016 election year, “Kids for President” comes to SFA on Friday, Dec. 4. Combining whimsy and political thought, this show, presented by Child’s Play Touring Theatre, is backed up by live music, colorful costumes and backdrops based on children’s artwork. Running the gamut from silly to serious, with suggestions for improving the world and kids’ own ideas on what it’s like to be the President, this performance wins the hearts and votes of both children and adults. Comprised of several short plays and songs adapted from children’s writings, the show, which targets children in kindergarten through eighth grades, captures kids’ curiosity and excitement about the election process.

The widely popular children’s favorite “The Lightning Thief” returns to Turner stage on Friday, Feb. 5. In this Theatreworks USA production targeting children in second through eighth grades, Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school … again. And that’s the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy’s Greek mythology textbook and into his life.

The comprehensive, curriculum-based show “ArcAttack” comes to SFA Friday, March 4. Part rock concert, part science experiment, this mesmerizing show meets National Science Education Standards and inspires students to pursue their interest in physics, mathematics, chemistry and engineering. Students will learn the fundamentals of science and technology as two Tesla Coils throw electrical arcs up to 12 feet long, creating a sound reminiscent of the early days of the synthesizer. The show targets children in third through 12th grades.

Rounding out the season is the magical “Rumpelstiltskin,” on Friday, April 15. In this show targeting prekindergarten through third grade students, Daisy can spin gold from straw. A greedy king locks her in a stable and demands that she turn all the straw into gold. Daisy looks doomed until a strange little man, Rumpelstiltskin, appears and promises to spin the straw into gold in return for her necklace. The king is delighted but locks her up again – wanting twice as much straw to spin. Will the magical Rumpelstiltskin return to help Daisy? Find out as The Panto Company USA spins this classic tale into a golden show for children of all ages, filled with songs and audience participation.

Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on show dates in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more.

“CPAS shows are a great way to supplement class curriculums, and our in-depth study guides provide suggestions for pre- and post-performance activities and discussions,” Peterson said.

To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at www.cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.

This piece by Robert Kinsell will be given away in a drawing the night of the closing reception for the Kinsell & Friends Art Sale. Everyone who visits the show will receive a ticket to enter the drawing. No purchase is required, but patrons must be present to win. It is oil on linen and is Untitled.

It’s been two years since Stephen F. Austin State University art professor Robert Kinsell retired. Yet, Kinsell’s dedication to the education of SFA art students continues to thrive through the sale of donated artwork he gave to the Friends of the Visual Arts before his departure to West Texas.

In the collection of more than 75 pieces, most are Kinsell’s work in paintings, prints and photographs, and a few are from other artists.

“Bob said that we could do with them as we pleased,” said Lisa Steed, events coordinator for SFA art galleries and FVA member, “as long as the proceeds went toward SFA art scholarships.”

Internal sales to FVA members and the College of Fine Arts Dean’s Circle raised about $8,000 toward that goal. Now, the FVA wants to give the public a unique opportunity to purchase some of Kinsell’s remarkable original art at great prices, Steed said.

The Kinsell & Friends Art Sale will begin Aug. 15 at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House and continue until a closing reception at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29. The collection, which includes about 45 pieces of Kinsell’s work and a few additional pieces by other artists, will be exhibited in Reavley Gallery.

“We are so fortunate to have been given this extraordinary collection of artwork,” Steed said. “Bob has professional gallery representation in Houston and Chicago, and the original values on these pieces range from $500 to $5,000. For this fundraiser, set prices now are $50 to $500. These are amazing bargains on original art, thanks to Bob’s generosity.”

The art will be priced to sell; there will be no auctions. Therefore, anyone who wants to purchase any number of pieces at any time during the two-week sale may do so. At the start of the closing event on Aug. 29, remaining pieces will be for sale at the posted price. Prices will be reduced throughout the evening.

All proceeds go toward funding art scholarships.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches. For additional information, call (936) 468-6557.