Events

Miriam Beerman: 1923–2022 NOTHING HAS CHANGED
2022-09-06 - 2022-12-11 | DiMattio Gallery at Rechnitz Hall
This exhibition shines a spotlight on the late Miriam Beerman, a New Jersey artist whose works are included in the permanent collections of over 60 museums worldwide and a female pioneer in the 20th-century art world. Beerman (1923–2022) was one of the 20th-century’s most provocative artists, whose humanist expressionist works highlight her talent as a colorist. A pioneer as one of the first female artists to be given a solo exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum of Art, Beerman is part of a canon of 20th-century women artists who were nearly lost to obscurity due to their gender in a male-dominated art world. Influenced by the social injustice seen around her, Beerman shines a spotlight on the horror and pathos of man’s inhumanity to man. The themes prove to be timeless, resonating today as much as when they were created in the 20th century. Her life and art were explored in the 2015 documentary Miriam Beerman: Expressing the Chaos.
Nearly 20 large-scale canvases by Beerman will be represented. The show is guest curated by gallerist James Yarosh and draws upon the recent exhibition Miriam Beerman – REDISCOVER, shown at James Yarosh & Associates Gallery in Holmdel, N.J., which opened in spring 2022. “Living with Miriam Beerman’s paintings at the gallery with the current exhibit REDISCOVER, one cannot help but be both moved and stirred to be in the presence of the colossal works, heavy with paint, laden with subject. When you see these humanist expressionist works existing silently, holding the weight of the world, you begin to understand the gallery’s presentation,” says Yarosh, a gallerist fueled by curatorial activism in recent years. “As I described Miriam’s art with clients, it occurred to me that those words also described the role of female artists of the 20th century whose voices were more stifled in favor of male artists—and of women’s roles in a patriarchal society. “If our art history is male-dominant, and the artists before us our teachers, we are only getting half the lessons to be learned,” he continues. “We have an opportunity to do better. This presentation with Monmouth University allows the conversations to continue and include a younger generation.”
Please join us for a closing reception on December 11 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Jeanine Pennell: Stepping Off the Page: Stories in Clay
2022-09-19 - 2022-12-02 | Rotary Ice House Gallery
An exhibition of work by artist Jeanine Pennell
Artist Statement:
I began this year journeying away from the studio. I left behind my bags of clay and my work tools. Bringing with me only a sketchbook and watercolors. It was the first time since the pandemic that I was away from clay.
I was in search of a new creative process. All of my early sculptures were created in short spurts of time, capturing the fleeting magic of a creative idea, much like gesture drawing. But this process did not serve when I began to push the boundaries. As the sculptures grew and I was creating without a clear end in mind, I found myself stuck. Clay figures draped in plastic shrouds collected in the corners of my studio.
During this time away I turned the process around. I began drawing small intuitive drawings. The sketches were quick, with no purpose or expectation. Capturing the essence of ideas that would float up. Later I would return to color them in and to excavate the meaning behind the art. What did the masks mean? The sharp teeth…faces and more faces? What did it all mean?
I then developed the ideas from my sketchbook in 3-D or clay by creating small maquettes. Once the sculptures were completed early mornings found me sitting with the art to write what I saw. The stories came out. Slowly at first, but with practice more steadily.
This collection is a record of that journey. In the main gallery is a collection of the largest, finished sculptures. As you descend to the lower gallery you will encounter the beginning of the journey. On display are the original drawings, maquettes and early sculptures as well as the stories behind the art.
Opening Reception September 30, 2022 7 PM – 9 PM | Ice House Gallery

“Classical Realism” with master painter - Scott Nickerson
2022-10-21 - 2022-12-16 | Pollak Gallery
This exhibit features work by painter Scott Nickerson and his core group of advanced students, and is a great example of the powerful influence one master painter can have on a school of artists.
Scott Nickerson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in the fall of 1970. His passion for the art world evolved as he matured and he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts, New York City in 1996. Scott studied under many extremely talented instructors at SVA, including renowned figure painter and draftsman, Steven Assael. He continued his studies after graduation at the Art Students League, New York City and Studio Incamminati, Philadelphia with distinguished artist and teacher, Nelson Shanks.
In 1997, Scott began to share his knowledge and love of painting with his own students, teaching classes at several locations across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Many of his courses work directly from live models, allowing the students an extensive study of each pose. When not teaching, Scott can be found working at his Ocean Township Studio on commissioned portraits. His work is displayed worldwide in private and public collections, including universities and government agencies.
Classical Realism is an artistic movement in the late-20th and early 21st century in which drawing and painting place a high value upon skill and beauty, combining elements of 19th-century neoclassicism and realism.
Opening Reception: October 28 from 5 pm to 7 pm. RSVP for the reception here
**Please note the gallery will be closed November 24-November 27 for the holiday weekend.***

The Woods - A mixed-reality, two-player cooperative game
2022-11-29 16:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Various Campus Locations
“The Woods” is a mixed-reality, two-player cooperative game that addresses the perils of social isolation by promoting connections between people and actively engaging them through play. Using Augmented Reality (AR) and 4-channel audio spatialization panning, players choreograph their movement in real-world space while interacting with birds, clouds, and other objects in virtual space. In pursuit of a shared goal, players experience an immersive sonic narrative of rumbling storm clouds and disconnected voices that culminate in stories of hope and reconciliation. The design intent behind “The Woods” is to illuminate human connections to others and to celebrate this through collaborative play.
4pm – 5pm – Experience The Woods (Demo)
Location: IDM (Interactive Digital Media) Research Lab, Plangere Room 135
RSVP Required for the demo session ONLY.
For more info or to RSVP, contact Wobbe F. Koning at wkoning@monmouth.edu

6pm – 7pm – Artist Talk and Q&A | Location: Pollak Theatre | Free and open to the public

Bios:
Kyoung Lee Swearingen is a visual storyteller with over a decade of experience as a Lighting Technical Director at Pixar Animation Studios and DNA Productions. Kyoung teaches computer animation at ACCAD/The Ohio State University and specializes in cinematography for games and animation. Her current research focuses on creating games and animation for collaborative play, using various emerging technology, and practicing transdisciplinary collaboration. Her award-winning projects have been shown (inter)nationally at ACM SIGGRAPH, IEEE-GEM, Unite Berlin, GDC, Montreal Independent Game Festival, and Bucheon International Animation Festival, and many more.
Scott Swearingen is an Assistant Professor who teaches game design at ACCAD/The Ohio State University. With a research focus in designing game mechanics that enhance collaborative play, his work cultivates the human experience of connectivity across a variety of physical and social boundaries. His award-winning games and other works have been exhibited at (in)ternational conferences and shows including SIGGRAPH, SIGGRAPH-ASIA, CURRENTS New Media, GLS, IEEE-GEM, IFIP-ICEC, Montreal Independent Games Festival, and HASTAC. Prior to joining Ohio State, Scott worked in the video game industry for over ten years as a game designer, level designer, and environment artist at multiple video game studios including MAXIS, Electronic Arts, and Gearbox Software. There he worked on numerous award-winning games and franchises including Medal of Honor, Brothers in Arms, The Simpsons, Dead Space, The Godfather and The Sims.
https://kyoungswearingen.com/the-woods

Woody Guthrie: Songs and Art, Words and Wisdom - Conversation and Book Signing with Nora Guthrie and Bob Santelli
2022-12-01 19:30 | The Great Hall Auditorium
Hosted by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University

Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part II
2022-12-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Class Schedule: Thursdays – Dec. 1, Dec. 8 & Dec. 15 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
When the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame nominations occur every year, the debate resumes: just what is rock? Instead of drawing from one genre, rock ’n’ roll draws from several, all combining to create a sumptuous gumbo that rapidly captured the world’s imagination.
Part two of the Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll course – a three-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole – continues exploring the foundations of the genre, this time exploring country, folk, and skiffle. How these art forms influenced both American and British artists will be studied in terms of instrumentation, singing style, and composition. In addition to multimedia presentations, class discussion and activities will enable attendees to identify the essential elements of rock.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea
2022-12-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
The annual holiday tradition returns with the ever lovable and charismatic Father Alphonse Stevenson conducting the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea for their 30th concert of carols and seasonal favorites. There’s simply no better way to start the holiday season than to spend a special evening with Father Alphonse, his 42-piece orchestra and distinguished vocalists as he provides humorous and personal anecdotes amidst a program of holiday classics and carols.

Gala at the Great Hall
2022-12-03 18:30 | The Great Hall
Join us for a modern twist on a past event favorite, while helping to ensure that a highly personalized Monmouth education remains accessible to an increasingly diverse student population. Proceeds will benefit the Access Fund, providing scholarships for students with financial need. At this time, we will also recognize Trudy and Charlie Parton ’01HN as this year’s President’s Medal recipients in honor of their lifelong commitment to the University.

Aretha Franklin, Young, Gifted, and Black
2022-12-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Pollak Theatre/Virtual, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764, United States
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Aretha Franklin, Young, Gifted, and Black.
This event will be held in person at Pollak Theatre and will also be available remotely via Zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Budrus
2022-12-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Pollak Theatre
Join us for a World Cinema Series film screening/discussion illuminating the theme “Wartime Lives: Enduring and Transcending Violence and Occupation” by analyzing the message and impact of the film Budrus (Israeli/Palestinian/American, 2009).
Budrus is an award-winning feature documentary film about Palestinian community organizer, Ayed Morrar, who unites Palestinian political factions and invites Israeli supporters to join an unarmed movement to save his village of Budrus from destruction by Israel’s Separation Barrier. Success eludes them until his 15-year-old daughter, Iltezam, launches a women’s contingent that quickly moves to the front lines. Struggling side by side, father and daughter unleash an inspiring, yet little-known, movement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that is still gaining ground today.
In an action-filled documentary chronicling this movement from its infancy, Budrus shines a light on people who choose nonviolent strategies to confront a threat. The movie is directed by award-winning filmmaker Julia Bacha (co-writer and editor of Control Room and co-director Encounter Point), and produced by Bacha, Palestinian journalist Rula Salameh, and filmmaker and human rights advocate Ronit Avni (formerly of WITNESS, Director of Encounter Point).
The discussion of the film will be led by Claude Taylor, Director For Academic Transition And Inclusion and Saliba Sarsar, Professor in the department of Political Science and Sociology.

The Hours
2022-12-10 13:00 - 17:00 | Pollak Theatre
The world-premiere staging of Kevin Puts’s The Hours, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel, which also served as the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film, arrives in cinemas this December. In her highly anticipated return to the Met, soprano Renée Fleming joins soprano Kelli O’Hara and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato to portray three women from different eras who grapple with their inner demons and their roles in society. Phelim McDermott, who recently created the Met’s acclaimed production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten, directs this compelling drama, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium to conduct Puts’s powerful score.
“The Hours contains themes of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, help is available from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.”

My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Home For The Holidays!
2022-12-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Pollak Theatre
After last season’s sell-out, it’s another laugh-filled evening of family chaos from the award-winning writer and comedian Steve Solomon. Steve is back with more wild and hilarious stories – including holiday dinner at Grandma’s, where if you’re under 55, you STILL sit at the children’s table. A time of peace – a time of joy – a time of remembering why you left home in the first place!
We’ll meet: Uncle Willie, Stuttering Cousin Bob, Demented Cousin Kenny, Steve’s new therapist Cousin Sal (and Sal’s parole officer) and a myriad of astounding characters we know, love and tolerate from our own families; each one brought to life on stage by Steve using his gift for creating voices dialects & wacky sound effects that only add to the hilarity of each story.

Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven
2022-12-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!
This month’s novel is NATIONAL BESTSELLER Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.

An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization’s collapse—the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be savior, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity. Now an original series on HBO Max.
Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of King Lear. That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.

Much Ado About Nothing
2022-12-15 19:30 - 22:30 | Pollak Theatre
Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom of sun, sea and mistaken identity.
The legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love.
A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.
Following the award-winning success of National Theatre Live’s Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and Antony and Cleopatra, director Simon Godwin returns with this irresistible comedy, broadcast live from the National Theatre stage.

Bruce Springsteen's Greetings from Asbury Park
2023-01-03 19:30 - 21:30 | The Great Hall Auditorium
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Bruce Springsteen’s Greetings from Asbury Park.

This event will be held in person at the Great Hall Auditorium and will also be available remotely via Zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

50th Anniversary Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ Symposium
2023-01-07 00:00 - 23:59 | The Great Hall Auditorium
The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University will present a symposium on Saturday, January 7, 2023 that celebrates the release of Springsteen’s debut album a half century ago. Titled The 50th Anniversary: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J, the day-long symposium will include panel discussions, interviews, a book signing, and a special performance of the songs on the album by Jersey Shore musicians.
Among the guests participating in the symposium will be original E Street Band members Garry Tallent, David Sancious, and Vini Lopez, along with former Springsteen manager Mike Appel. Nicki Germain will debut and sign her photography book of stunning images from the 1974 Springsteen concert at Liberty Hall, TX

Hawks on the Road at Drexel
2023-01-07 10:30 - 13:30 | Landmark Americana Bar & Grill, 3333 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
Pre-game fan meet-up before Monmouth University Men’s Basketball vs. Drexel!
Join fellow Monmouth fans and alumni at a pre-game reception. Enjoy food, drinks and fun before cheering on the Hawks!
The Landmark is attached to the Daskalakis Athletic Center on the Drexel University campus.
Basketball game tickets sold separately and can be purchased at this link. The Monmouth team bench is located in front of section 2.
For question or additional information contact Ken Taylor (ktaylor@monmouth.edu).
Be Advised: Payment for registrations not kept or cancelled are non-refundable. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, only guests 21 and older can access the cash bar.

REM's Murmur
2023-01-10 19:30 - 21:00 | Woods Theatre/Virtual, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764, United States
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature REM, Murmur.
This event will be held in person at Woods Theatre and will also be available remotely via Zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part III
2023-01-12 19:30 - 21:00, 2023-01-19 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Class Schedule: Thursdays – Jan. 12, Jan. 19 & Jan. 26 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
This three-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole explores the question – just what is rock?
The Beatles remain one of rock’s greatest bands, but their roots go beyond Elvis Presley or Buddy Holly. They stretch even further, spanning cultures and genres. This course examines lesser-known inspirations for some of their most well-known songs as well as rock and roll itself. British Music Hall, Blue Beat (predecessor to ska and reggae), swamp pop, the avant garde, and more will be explored In addition to multimedia presentations, class discussion and activities will enable attendees to identify elements of these genres in the Beatles’ music.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

Winter Commencement
2023-01-13 13:00 | OceanFirst Bank Center

Fedora
2023-01-14 13:00 - 17:00 | Pollak Theatre
Giordano’s exhilarating drama Fedora returns to the Met for the first time in 25 years, starring soprano Sonya Yoncheva in the title role of the 19th-century princess who falls in love with her fiancé’s murderer, Count Loris, sung by tenor Piotr Beczała. Soprano Rosa Feola is the Countess Olga, Fedora’s confidante, and baritone Artur Ruciński is the diplomat De Siriex. Marco Armiliato conducts David McVicar’s intricate production, with a fixed set that unfolds to reveal the opera’s settings: a palace in St. Petersburg, a fashionable Parisian salon, and a picturesque villa in the Swiss Alps.

Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer
2023-01-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!
This month’s novel is Viet Thanh Nguyen, The Sympathizer.
A profound, startling, and beautifully crafted debut novel, The Sympathizer is the story of a man of two minds, someone whose political beliefs clash with his individual loyalties.
The Sympathizer is the story of this captain: a man brought up by an absent French father and a poor Vietnamese mother, a man who went to university in America, but returned to Vietnam to fight for the Communist cause. A gripping spy novel, an astute exploration of extreme politics, and a moving love story, The Sympathizer explores a life between two worlds and examines the legacy of the Vietnam War in literature, film, and the wars we fight today.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.

Pilobolus Big Five-Oh!
2023-01-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
For this 50th anniversary celebration, Pilobolus questions its own “givens,” turns its traditions sideways, and brings its past into the future. As fresh and vibrant as ever, Pilobolus –that feisty arts organism– puts the “Oh!” in ​BIG FIVE OH!​, and continues to morph its way thrillingly into audiences’ hearts and minds. The celebration includes signature works from vintage classics to their trend setting innovative work in shadow.

Selections from the Monmouth University Permanent Art Collection
2023-01-23 00:00 - 2023-03-10 23:59 | DiMattio Gallery at Rechnitz Hall
Selections from the Monmouth University permanent collection featuring works by various artists, including: by Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, Hannah Barrett, Salvador Dali, Bruce Dorfman, Peter Milton, Joan Miro, and Russell Tyler, and more.
