KINGSTON, R.I.—Oct. 12, 2023—The University of Rhode Island Foundation & Alumni Engagement hosts its third annual Faculty Office Hours lunchtime webinar series, beginning Oct. 24. This semester’s theme “A Tour of the Arts,” focuses on the College of Arts and Sciences and commemoration of its 75th anniversary. This semester’s speakers are: Professor of Art Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Assistant Professor of Music Emmett Goods and Assistant Professor of Theatre Rachel Walshe.

“Each of our speakers is a respected authority in their areas of expertise,” said Leslie Lowenstein, who is one of the series organizers. “Professor Matthew’s work has been showcased in MFA Boston, MFA Texas, the Smithsonian and other fine art institutions across the country; Professor Goods has performed with some of the greats, including Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight; and Professor Walshe is a member of the Chicago-based Rivendell Theatre Ensemble.”

The series launches Tuesday, Oct. 24, with Matthew, who will give a talk on fine art and photography. Matthew’s activism, which takes a historical angle in her photography’s depiction of marginalized communities, does not exist exclusively in her work behind the camera. For five years Matthews was the Director of the Center for Humanities, and also worked closely with the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. To register, click here.

Each webinar will begin at noon and is intended to highlight the intersection between activism and the arts, giving recognition to the ways protest and dissent can be expressed through a creative medium. While focused on different creative outlets, each webinar will relate that creative medium to the topic of social justice.

Goods will discuss jazz music on Wednesday, Nov. 15. An assistant professor in the music department, Goods obtained his masters in jazz studies from Georgia State University, before getting his musical arts doctorate in trombone performance from West Virginia University. He describes himself as a “passionate jazz musician, educator, and researcher of black culture.” When it comes to his love of performance, he seeks to both ignite audiences and his student’s love of black music. To register, click here.

The fall series concludes on Wednesday, Dec. 13 with Walshe presenting her lecture about theater. A Gamm Theatre Scholar, Walshe’s previous experience largely surrounds the work of women writers, and the process of development behind the creation of new plays. In 2022, Walshe directed the Gamm’s production of Ironbound, a play that tells the story of a Polish woman’s immigration to the United States, and her subsequent quest for financial security. To register, click here.

For all those interested in the arts, music and theater, you might want to check out the University of Rhode Island’s Faculty Office Hours program, which gives the University community and others the chance to learn from the experts from the convenience of their desk or home.

All webinars are free and open to the public. Registration is open until the day of the event. Webinar links will be provided upon registration. Attendees who would like to submit questions for the speakers in advance are invited to email them to Leslie Lowenstein. 

“What could be better than the opportunity to learn from these experts from the convenience of your desk or from home,” added Lowenstein.

This story was written by Samantha Melia, a senior journalism and political science major at the University of Rhode Island and an intern in the Department of Communications and Marketing.