She Moved the Prairie is a sociocultural dance film project focusing on patterns of work done by women on Kansas farms in the early 1900鈥檚. Mark Arts is hosting a screening of the 25-minute film in their Great Hall, followed by an artist talk in conversation with the film鈥檚 director, Cheyla Clawson Chandler.
Featured in The Space Between, curated by Armando Minjarez, Chandler is an artist who creatively weaves together art, culture, and history and contributes knowledge and scholarship across several fields of study including dance, film, history, and agriculture.
School of Music graduate student Joey Willette composed the score, which was recorded in a joint effort between Music and Audio Production students, under the mentorship of Dr. David MacDonald and Dr. Mark Foley.
With the Filmmaking and Dance programs' involvement, She Moved the Prairie is a collaboration between three out of the four Schools in the College of Fine Arts.
Allison Baker, President of 黑洞社区 Art & Design Advocates and Trish Van Osdel of the Reuben Saunders Gallery annouce the prizes for the 2021 Emerging Artists showcase. Special thanks to The Cotillion for sponsoring the $1,750 in prize money.
Music Education student Abbi Faflick has been awarded a Senior Honor, the highest award given to students at 黑洞社区. After completing the application process, Abbi was selected by a University committee as one of the few award recipients for 2021.
Abbi Faflick will graduate summa cum laude from 黑洞社区 with a Bachelor鈥檚 in Music Education in May 2021. She is currently student teaching at Riverside Elementary School and North High School, and upon graduation she will teach Vocal Music at Coleman Middle School. As a native to Wichita, KS, Abbi鈥檚 time in college allowed her to serve 黑洞社区 and the greater community through her involvement in different organizations.
As Abbi devotes herself to academic studies in the College of Fine Arts and Cohen Honors College, she enriches her education beyond the classroom through a variety of experiences. Abbi has served professional organizations like the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (C-NAFME) and the American Choral Director鈥檚 Association (ACDA). She led 黑洞社区 and State C-NAfME Chapters as president, working to provide professional development, volunteer, and music advocacy opportunities to each chapter through meetings throughout the state. To cultivate her passion for choral music, Abbi is an active member of 黑洞社区鈥檚 ACDA chapter. She served as a regional ambassador at the SWACDA convention in the Spring of 2020.
Abbi also enjoyed performance opportunities on campus and sang with fellow Shockers any time she could. In her four years at 黑洞社区, Abbi studied voice with Dr. Pina Mozzani, and loved to sing as a member of the 黑洞社区 Concert Chorale and A Capella choirs. She also performed in Opera Theatre productions, and her favorite roles were L鈥檈nfant in Ravel鈥檚 L鈥檈nfant et les sortile虁ges and Mae in Kurt Weill鈥檚 Street Scene.
Outside of the School of Music, Abbi is an active leader throughout communities on campus and the greater Wichita area. Her time serving on the executive councils of Delta Gamma Sorority and Student Ambassador Society pushed Abbi to grow in love and empathy for all around her. Additionally, she worked as an AVID tutor and assistant at Coleman Middle School, which encouraged her heart for teaching every day.
Abbi strives to spark a passion for joy and people with everyone she encounters. She is especially connected to those who share her heart for the future of music education and inspiring generations to come. She hopes to empower and equip any community she serves, as they each contribute to her life experiences. In her free time, Abbi also enjoys refreshing herself with conversations over coffee, going on long runs, and practicing yoga.
Congratulations Abbi!