Notes from the Director
Dr. Brendan Kelly
The University of West Florida is growing and progressing every year. With nearly 13,000 students attending the university, the campus is alive with an emergent energy and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) is, as a result, full of a renewed, creative exuberance. The 2012-13 season of events is sure to capture that vitality!
The CFPA at the University of West Florida is the center point for arts activities on the campus. Increasingly, however, it is becoming a principal gathering place for arts and cultural events in Northwest Florida. The new season of events provides an exciting and engaging array of evidence to emphasize this emerging role. During 2012-13, the CFPA will play host to an expanded theatre season, myriad of musical events and concerts, series of exhibitions in The Art Gallery, as well as a growing collection of lectures, discussions panels and public events.
The Department of Theatre will present an expanded six-show season. The Department of Music will be producing more than 40 performances, including four Music Hall Artist Series performances. The Art Gallery (TAG), driven by the energy, expertise and educational initiatives in the Department of Art, will showcase eight exhibitions. Additionally, I am pleased to welcome our new Art Gallery Director, Nicholas Crogan. Â Nick comes to us with an MFA from Colorado State University. I am certain that he will make substantial contributions to expanding and refining the mission and operation of TAG moving forward.
Finally, it is important for me to recognize the energy behind the operation of the CFPA is Assistant Director, Jerre Brisky. Jerre's leadership and extensive experience in arts administration continues to fuel our efforts to make the CFPA a center point for arts, cultural and entertainment events. Additionally, Jerre ensures that guests are
welcomed, operations are smooth, and education remains the heart of our mission for the CFPA.
It is my hope that the 2012-13 season will provide many opportunities for me to connect with old friends of the CFPA, as well as open the doors of our community to new ones.
We will see you at the Center!
Dr. Brendan B. Kelly
Director, School of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts