The performing arts at Penn: Process, practice, and purpose Arts & Humanities The performing arts at Penn: Process, practice, and purpose In the vivid tapestry of performing arts groups at Penn, students prepare for their performances while simultaneously enriching their college experience. 2 min. read
Who, What, Why: Alicia Meyer on the wonders of the Kislak Center Arts & Humanities Who, What, Why: Alicia Meyer on the wonders of the Kislak Center As curator of research services, Meyer wants students from every discipline to visit the Kislak Center and to find new insights from old materials. 2 min. read
The concept, popularity, and dismissal of the ‘beach read’ Cheryl Krementz of Penn Business Services—which oversees the Penn Bookstore—says that a beach read “leans toward the ‘lighter’ genre: romantasy, light science fiction, memoir and cozy mysteries, true crime.” She describes the bookstore’s selection as “very Penn beach reads,” as they are “fun and breezy with a little bit of intellect in it.”nocred News The concept, popularity, and dismissal of the ‘beach read’ Penn Today talked about beach reads with comparative literature Ph.D. candidate Angelina Eimannsberger, whose dissertation focuses on women readers, social media, the romance genre, and bookstores.
A historic ode to the Fourth of July—in the Penn Libraries A broadside of “An Ode for the Fourth of July, 1788,” written by Francis Hopkinson. The copy, which previously belonged to Benjamin Franklin, is part of the Francis Hopkinson Collections at the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. (Image: Courtesy of Penn Libraries) A historic ode to the Fourth of July—in the Penn Libraries “An Ode for the Fourth of July, 1788” is a songsheet by 1757 graduate and Declaration of Independence signer Francis Hopkinson held in the Kislak Center. It represents an early celebration of a new nation and a reckoning with what patriotism in a burgeoning democracy should look like. 3 min. read
Arthur Ross Gallery to launch America 250 exhibition this fall “Back of the State House, Philadelphia”. Plate 22 from “The City of Philadelphia as it appeared in the Year 1800”. Published by W. Birch, Springland Cot. near Neshaminy Bridge on the Bristol Road; Pennsylvania. Decr. 31st 1800. University of Pennsylvania Art Collection, Philadelphia.(Image: Courtesy of the Arthur Ross Gallery) Arthur Ross Gallery to launch America 250 exhibition this fall ‘At Liberty: Life in the City of Brotherly Love During the Early Republic’ will be on view Aug. 28 through Dec. 31. The fall exhibition, located in the Arthur Ross Gallery, will consider the role of visual culture and perceptions of Philadelphia during the era of the Revolution. 1 min. read
‘Migrating Lives: Celebrating Communities Through Participatory Murals’ The completed canvases were photographed together—by alum Bryan Lathrop—to make one large mural. Lathrop and his wife, Tatiana Olmedo, each painted their own canvases as well.(Image: Bryan Lathrop) ‘Migrating Lives: Celebrating Communities Through Participatory Murals’ A yearlong mural project celebrating the beauty of immigration has brought together Penn students, staff, faculty, and alums—along with community members across the Philadelphia area. 2 min. read
Dean Mark Trodden on what’s next for Penn Arts & Sciences Mark Trodden, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.nocred Dean Mark Trodden on what’s next for Penn Arts & Sciences Dean Trodden reflects on his first year on the job, how the School of Arts & Sciences is supporting students’ futures through curriculum innovation, the new Physical Sciences Complex, and other initiatives. 6 min. read
Reading manuscripts in the digital space with handwritten text recognition Image: Johner Images via Getty Images Reading manuscripts in the digital space with handwritten text recognition Penn Libraries staff are using the platform eScriptorium to build machine-learning models that can transcribe handwritten manuscripts from across the world. 2 min. read
Weitzman externships in retrospect: Aidan Williams Weitzman Master of Architecture student Aidan Williams.nocred Weitzman externships in retrospect: Aidan Williams The Weitzman Master of Architecture student spent his externship with in situ studio, a small design-based architecture practice. 2 min. read
Exploring popular culture and entertainment in 1920s Cairo Exploring popular culture and entertainment in 1920s Cairo A number of periodicals cropped up in 1920s Cairo that offered artistic critique, gossip, and cultural commentary, and several are available digitally and in person at the Penn Libraries.
The museum as object of design Weitzman’s Ferda Kolatan (seated far right) in his MSD-AAD studio.(Image: Dylan Li) The museum as object of design From expansion projects to new builds, faculty and students at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design are helping museums deepen connections to their site and community. 2 min. read
The grass beneath the American dream: Exploring the many facets of lawns nocred The grass beneath the American dream: Exploring the many facets of lawns Jay Kirk’s Xfic Nonfiction Workshop this past semester focused on the American lawn—which students approached through the lenses of environmental studies, history, gender and media, veterinary medicine, and more. 4 min. read
