This artwork began as a simple flower sketch, but it quickly evolved into something more profound. At the center of the piece is a striking purple flower with a subtle blue tint. Woven between the petals are words — words that convey a deep sense of melancholy and emotional struggle.  The flower, vibrant and beautiful, symbolizes the outward appearance of happiness, success and vitality. Yet, the words nestled within represent the inner turmoil and unspoken challenges that often lie beneath the surface. Just as the flower may appear serene from the outside, individuals can project an image of joy while...

By Isaiah Beiter • October 4, 2024 • Arts

On Oct. 4 at 8 p.m., Victor Vegas and Fatima Zahara’s musical, “An Untitled Project,” debuts in the Umble Center. The idea was born when Zahara was sketching in her notebook instead of doing music theory.  “I was totally messing around two years ago in Dr. Hill’s music theory class drawing my musical instead of doing my homework,” Zahara said. “I’ve kinda always wanted to write a musical, she said. “When I was in high school I was doing musicals. I was like man, I’d like, love to write one of these.” Zahara, a senior music and theatre double major,...

By Keegan Wyse • October 4, 2024 • Arts

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Goshen held its fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Festival. The event was created for the purpose of educating our broader community about Hispanic Heritage Month and to enjoy dancing, food and music, but most importantly, to celebrate and embrace these beautiful cultures that make up our community-wide family.  Not only were there over 80 vendors present but there was something particularly special on the stage. The newly launched Mariachi ECoSistema (ECo) ensemble got the opportunity for the second year in a row to perform various traditional mariachi songs for the entire festival.  If you somehow haven’t caught...

By Aysia Adkins • October 4, 2024 • Arts

Jimin Seo brings three master’s degrees, a pending doctorate and a drive for making music to her new position as visiting assistant professor of music and orchestra conductor at Goshen College. Seo will debut as the GC Symphony Orchestra conductor at the Homecoming Music Gala on Oct. 5 in Sauder Concert Hall. The orchestra will present “Overture to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” by Richard Wagner.  “I’m excited for the audience to witness our Goshen College Symphony Orchestra — the beautiful playing as a group as well as all the individuals being fantastic musicians,” Seo said. Seo has a bachelor’s degree...

By Mackenzie P. Miller • September 19, 2024 • Arts

On Sunday, the Good Library hosted a reception to celebrate the works of Chad Friesen, a member of the Southside Fellowship in South Bend who died in 2013. Though Friesen faced a lifelong physical disability with no diagnosis, he left behind a legacy of over one thousand paintings.  The presenter on the day was Elizabeth Miller, assistant professor of history. She opened the reception by saying, “The energy coming into the room this afternoon feels like a reunion.” The feeling was shared by friends and family of Chad Friesen, as well as Goshen alumni who were present. Speaking at the...

By Liam Shaw • September 19, 2024 • Arts

This past weekend, on a windy and brisk sunny day, nestled between the bridge and Goshen Brewing Company was the 11th annual Arts on the Millrace, a day full of music, crafts and connections. The event hosted over 50 regional and local artists alike, with many being Goshen College alumni. Norah Amstutz, a clay potter based in South Bend, was announced as the first place winner. The event consisted of a line of tents and pop-ups, with everything from graphic t-shirts, many choices of ceramics — with mugs and pots being among the most popular — paintings, photography and other...

By Charlie Aldrich • September 12, 2024 • Arts

By Mackenzie P. Miller • September 8, 2024 • Arts Aaliah Higareda • September 8, 2024 • Arts

Goshen College begins the 2024-25 school year with over 37 new employees, one of whom is succeeding Jacob Claassen as the theater department’s technical director. Brenton Abram-Copenhaver is the newest member of the theater staff. He grew up surrounded by performing arts — his parents owned a visual and performing arts school. “They taught art, music, drama and dance,” Abram-Copenhaver said, “that was my after-school and upbringing.” Throughout high school, Abram-Copenhaver continued to work in theatrical productions. He volunteered at community organizations and he performed in high school plays.  Following school, he made his way to Chicago, where he studied...

By Bennett Silveus • September 5, 2024 • Arts

Lavender Jazz presented instrumental solos, surprise singers and warped guitar sounds in Umble Center under purple backdrops and orange overhead lights last Friday. The ensemble boomed throughout the building in a groovy and energetic chorus, playing nine unique songs. According to Greg Smucker, the director and adjunct professor, its “in your face” style paired with the small venue and sizable band added to the fun. “We came over to Umble [from the music center] because we’re getting lost in Sauder when only 100 people or less were showing up,” Smucker said. “And over time the crowd has gotten bigger. The...

By Charlie Aldrich • April 11, 2024 • Arts

On April 5, Goshen College student artists and alumni gathered at the Goshen Farmers Market for an art sale as a part of the annual Well-Crafted Arts Tour for Downtown Goshen’s First Fridays.  The art sale was an opportunity for GC artists to engage with the community and talk about their work while earning money. Artists presented a range of media including printmaking, pottery, digital art and clothing manipulation.  “[The art sale] helps to foster more relationships between Goshen College and the broader community,” said Sara Method, assistant professor of art. “This also allows our students to gain invaluable experience...

By Sadie Brenneman • April 11, 2024 • Arts

“This doodle started with some colored marker scribbles to get me started, then I began filling them in with sharpie to create objects out of the scribbles. Then I made it a goal to fill as much of the white space as I could. That way you can keep finding new things with every viewing. I tried to hide aspects of my life or depict thoughts that crossed my mind while I drew.” – Ryan Snider is a junior social work major from Benton, Indiana.

By Ryan Snider • April 4, 2024 • Arts

A nun, a devil and a G-string; not what you would expect at a traditional strings performance. This past Tuesday’s April Fools’ Day concert featured all three. The two-hour performance presented the musical prowess among both GC students and staff alike, including mesmerizing strumming, finger plucking and storytelling while guiding the audience through a “humourous walk through violin literature.” The recital opened with a brief introduction by Dustin George-Miller, Music Center office coordinator. Walking to the stage, he set the tone in a brightly colored blazer that sported eccentric shapes and was quick to offer a “thanks, Amazon,” for shipping...

By Isabella Aldrich • April 4, 2024 • Arts

It was mid-November when Sara Method, assistant professor of art, offered Aaliah Higareda, a sophomore graphic design major, an opportunity to develop her portfolio. This wasn’t your typical college resume-builder or an artsy side-project, but an opportunity to help on a larger scale.  The offer? To assist asylum seekers by creating wayfinding signage. The offer was unpaid and purely volunteer work, but Higareda was quick to accept. The assignment was originally sent over from Emily Miller, associate director of the asylum and border services on behalf of Church World Service, as they were in dire need of proper signage. CWS,...

By Charlie Aldrich • April 4, 2024 • Arts

‘New’ has been the recurring word when talking about the upcoming musical scenes, “Resistance, Revolution, Reconciliation! A Cabaret.” With the last cabaret being performed four years ago, Amy Budd, professor of theater and director of the show, decided to change things up, allowing the student cast more control over the music, writing and directing.  According to some of the cast, a change in this production was a new focus on student direction, with some original work by Fatima Zahara, a junior music and theater double major and cast member. “It’s different … from a regular musical, because normally with a...

By Charlie Aldrich • March 21, 2024 • Arts

Tom Ashcraft, a professor of fine arts at West Carolina University, visited Goshen College  as part of a college endowment for visiting artists. Ashcraft and the art department hosted a reception and workshop along with a speech at convocation. The focal point of this lecture centered around his art exhibit “Du Quotidien,” which was recently displayed in the Hershberger Art Gallery in the Music Center. “I always walk past the gallery in the Music Center for choir,” said Lukas Bontrager-Waite, a senior writing major and reception attendee. “I’m always curious about whatever showcase they have set up in there, so...

By Charlie Aldrich • March 21, 2024 • Arts