A Quarter Century of Celebrating Talent -

Performers standing on a theater stage with a pianist at the side, seen from the audience seating area.

A Quarter Century of Celebrating Talent

Angelina College Hosts Reception for 25^th Anniversary of Angelina Center for the Arts

By GARY STALLARD

AC Office of Communications

For 25 years, the Angelina Center for the Arts on the Angelina College campus has served as both a prime location for showcasing existing talent while also serving as class settings for developing skills for future artists in every medium. Renowned musical artists have taken the stage inside Temple Theater, and noted visual artists have decorated the walls with their works.

On Tuesday, AC hosted a reception to celebrate a quarter century of excellence in the arts.

Guests were treated to a tour of the entire facility, along with several live performances.

Following an introduction from AC president Dr. Michael Simon, the guests moved inside Temple Theater, where students under the direction of Theater instructor Daniel Anderson ran through a rehearsal for their upcoming “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” performance scheduled to open Nov. 5-7 in the same location.

Next on the tour was an experience with “lights, camera and action” – a visit to the lab where instructor Reg Reynolds (Instructor, Graphic Arts) and his digital imaging students staged an example of the work they do in videography, photography and other areas. Graphic Arts students will host an exhibition running Nov. 17 through Dec. 10 in the AC gallery.

Visual Arts instructor Le’Anne Alexander then invited the guests inside her studio, where visitors could view ongoing works (including drawings and paintings) from her Visual Arts students. Alexander also briefed the group on her process for procuring established artists to host their exhibitions in the ACA gallery; she reminded everyone of the upcoming Visual Arts Student Gallery set to open Oct. 27 and run through Nov. 11.

Music instructor/conductor Paul Berler then led the AC Symphonic and Civic Bands in a brief concert preview for the upcoming “Voice of a Nation” performance scheduled for Nov. 26 inside Temple Theater.

Another pair of musical performances followed, with vocalist (AC Voice Instructor and alumnus) Sarah Jackson performing an operatic aria with Visual and Performing Arts Chair Beckie Compton accompanying on piano.

Finally, Compton and Berler (on saxophone) closed out the evening with a duet of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

For a full schedule of upcoming Visual and Performing Arts events, visit the website at https://www.angelina.edu/events/category/visual-performing-arts/

Photo captions:

Simon Addressing Guests:

A man in a suit jacket speaks to a group of people gathered in an art gallery.

Angelina College president Dr. Michael Simon addresses guests at Tuesday’s ceremony inside the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

AC Theater Ring of Fire Rehearsal:

Performers stand on a theater stage, viewed from the audience seating area.

Angelina College Theater students perform a number from their upcoming “Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash” for guests during Tuesday’s ceremony inside Temple Theater. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

Le’Anne Alexander Addressing Guests:

A woman speaks to a group in an art classroom, with various artworks displayed on a chalkboard nearby.

Angelina College Visual Arts instructor Le’Anne Alexander shows off some of her students’ works to guests during Tuesday’s reception inside the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

Reg Reynolds Class:

A film crew records a miniature house model in a studio under specialized lighting.

Angelina College Graphic Arts instructor Reg Reynolds and his students offer a “lights, camera, action” display to visiting guests during Tuesday’s reception inside Temple Theater. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

Band 2:

A conductor leads a concert band performing in a spacious lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Angelina College music instructor Paul Berler directs the AC Civic and Symphonic band as it performs for guests during Tuesday’s reception inside the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

Paul Berler Addressing Guests:

A man in a blazer addresses a seated audience in a bright, modern lobby with large windows.

Angelina College music instructor Paul Berler addresses guests prior to the AC Civic and Symphonic band before a musical performance during Tuesday’s reception inside the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

Sarah Jackson and Beckie Compton:

A woman singing, accompanied by a pianist at a Steinway & Sons grand piano in the Temple Theater.

Angelina College Voice Instructor Sarah Jackson (right), accompanied by AC Visual and Performing Arts Chair/pianist Beckie Compton, perform for guests during Tuesday’s reception inside the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)

Paul Berler and Beckie Compton:

A woman in a red blazer plays a grand piano accompanied by a man on saxophone in front of a Temple Theater sign.

Angelina College Music Instructor Paul Berler (saxophone) and AC Visual and Performing Arts Chair/pianist Beckie Compton perform for guests during Tuesday’s reception inside the Angelina Center for the Arts Gallery. AC celebrated the facility’s 25^th Anniversary with a guided tour and live performances. (Gary Stallard photo for AC Office of Communications)