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The Edgar H. Smith Fine Arts Series provides quality performing arts presentations for the mid-Willamette Valley community and supports the community service and educational missions of Western Oregon University. Further, the Series provides master classes and workshops for University students; performances and discussion for our elementary and secondary schools; and informal lectures and demonstrations for the public, preceding performances.
An outstanding element of Western Oregon University’s public service mission for the past 30 years has been the Smith Fine Arts Series, contributing to the University’s growing reputation as a center for the arts in the mid-Willamette Valley. The series was created in 1976 by Edgar H. Smith, a leading arts advocate and educator, to inaugurate the opening of Rice Auditorium. The series was later named for Dr. Smith on the occasion of his death in 1979.
The Smith Fine Arts Series is supported by ticket sales, grants, individual membership donations, and private and corporate sponsors. Western Oregon University provides the venue, management, and technical support. The 600- seat Rice Auditorium on the WOU campus serves as the performance venue and outreach facility; it operates with support of in-kind services from the University.
An 18-member board selected from Monmouth, Dallas, Independence and Salem governs the series, serving three-year terms. The board includes representatives of the business community; education; senior citizens; and University faculty, staff and, students. The Board of Directors is a working board with each member actively participating in committee assignments and board responsibilities throughout the year.
The Smith Fine Arts Series is managed by an artistic director with many years of experience in the arts. The series presents jazz, classical music, dance, and world music. Many artists also present outreach or master classes aimed at K-12 and university studentsTerri Gregory, President
Mark Fancey, President Elect
Vonnie Good, Past President
Janeanne Rockwell-Kincanon, Secretary
Gail Arkley
Jack Frauendiener
Nancy Hier
Bill Hughes
Bruce Mayhall Rastrelli
Betsy Messer
Cindy Musgrove
Karl Paulson
Dr. Hilda Rosselli
Ray Sagner
Pat Schrader
Maggie Triplett
John Van Dreal
Nancy Magill, Ex Officio
Grieke Moran, Ex Officio
Evelyn Smith Lorence, Honorary Member
Dr. Keller Coker, Executive Director
Sandy Newland, Assistant Director
Becca Scott, Associate Director
Vagabond Opera
Andrew York
Rainbow Dance
Solas-Shamrock City
Joe Lovano & American Metropole Orchestra
60s Soul featuring Marilyn Keller & Neil Thurston & Western Hemisphere Orchustra
OREGON
Francesco Buzzurro & Richard Smith
Toronto Consort
Martha Reeves & Western Hemisphere Orchestra
Do Jump!
Rio Nights featuring Eduardo Mendonça & American Metropole Orchestra
Asleep at the Wheel
Cirque Mechanics
The Travelin McCoury's
Adam Del Monte
Ensemble Galilei
Allen Touissant & American Metropole Orchestra
Danza Contemporanea Universitaria
Rebecca Fromherz
Moscow String Quartet
Inti-Illimani
An Evening with Mel Brown
Lizz Wright
Brasil Brazil
The Impressions
Portland Baroque Orchestra
Freddy Cole & Kevin Mahogany
Pearl Django
Garth Fagan Dance
Lazer Vaudeville
Regina Carter
Alonzo King
Tears of Joy
Boston Brass
Obo Addy
Rainbow Dance
Pink Martini
Do Jump
Emerson String Quartet
Mark Morris Dance Group
Michael Allen Harrison
Capitol Steps
Jazz Tap Ensemble
Vienna Choir Boys
Opera A La Carte
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Imago-Masked Theatre Ensemble
Blind Boys of Alabama
Taylor 2 Dance Company
Quartetto Gelato
Peking Acrobats
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
David Parson's Dance Company
BeauSoleil
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
American String Quartet
Mystical Arts of Tibet
Margie Gillis
Fred Hersch Trio
Eroica Trio
Arturo Sandoval Sextet
Trio Voronezh
Pilobolus Dance Theatre
Ying Huang
Carlos Nunez
Chanticleer
Charlie Haden's Quartet West
St. Petersburg Ballet of Russia
Click here to see full performance history
Smith Fine Arts Series (503) 838-8333 | or e-mail: fineart@wou.edu
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