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Cliffe College of Creative Arts News

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McDonough Museum to open summer slate with five dynamic exhibitions

YSU’s McDonough Museum of Art will open its summer schedule with five dynamic exhibitions beginning Friday, May 29, through Saturday, July 18, 2026. The “Summer Exhibitions” will include Sharon M. Dundee’s “RUSTED ROOTS: Exploring Our Connection,” Laura Garvin’s “Sketches & Storyline: An Illustrator’s Creative Process,” and a commemorative US Semiquincentennial exhibition titled “Stitches in Time.” Also on display from May 29 to July 24 will be Crystal Beiersdorfer’s “#inhale_#exhale” and Random Acts of Artist’s “Moving Forward, Looking Back.”

dana summer camp header photo

Dana School of Music and University Theatre to host annual summer camps

YSU’s Dana School of Music and University Theatre welcome middle and high school students ages 13 – 18 to register for their annual summer camp events to be held this June at YSU’s Bliss Hall. Led by experienced faculty and guest artists, attendees will have the opportunity to develop their musical or theatrical skills and participate in elective workshops tailored to their goals. Pre-registration is required.

Graduating B.F.A. Exhibition

2026 senior art students to showcase work in “Graduating B.F.A. Exhibition” at McDonough Museum

Senior art students from YSU’s Department of Art will showcase their work in the “2026 Graduating B.F.A. Exhibition” at the McDonough Museum of Art beginning Friday, April 17, through Saturday, May 2. This annual exhibition serves as an opportunity for senior students in the department to share the original and innovative discoveries they have made in their artistic journeys with the public.

Junior Portfolio Review Exhibition

Solomon Gallery to host annual “Junior Portfolio Review Exhibition” for junior art students

YSU’s Department of Art will showcase the work of its junior art students in the “Junior Portfolio Review Exhibition” beginning Monday, April 20, through Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Judith Rae Solomon Gallery, located in YSU’s Bliss Hall. Prior to beginning their senior-level studio art coursework, all junior-level art students are required to present their bodies of work for review by a studio faculty committee in the form of this exhibit.

Students at Freshman Portfolio Review

Freshmen art students to exhibit work in Portfolio Review Showcase

YSU’s Department of Art will exhibit the work of its freshmen art students in a Freshman Portfolio Review Showcase Monday, April 13, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM on the fourth floor of YSU’s Bliss Hall. All freshmen art students are required to complete a Freshman Seminar and Portfolio Review course, which culminates with this public showcase and gives the students a chance to receive feedback from the public on their work.

Kiss Me Kate Poster

University Theatre to end 2025-26 run with production of “Kiss Me, Kate”

YSU’s University Theatre will close the curtain on its 2025-26 season with the production of the Broadway musical “Kiss Me, Kate” April 16 – 19 at the YSU Ford Theater, located in YSU’s Bliss Hall. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Kiss Me, Kate” follows a feuding pair of ex-spouses—both actors—who must navigate romantic rivalry, mob entanglements, and Shakespearean mischief over the course of one wild opening night.

John Fedchock

Jazz trombonist John Fedchock to perform with YSU Jazz Ensemble and Conneaut Area Blue Note Jazz Band

YSU’s Dana School of Music will present a concert by the Jazz Studies Area, directed by professor Kent Engelgardt, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Apollo Maennerchor Club in Sharon, PA. The concert will feature trombonist, composer, and arranger John Fedchock and the Conneaut Area Blue Note High School Jazz Band. Fedchock will perform a variety of his compositions with both the Conneaut Band and the YSU Jazz Ensemble.

Art Summer Camp

Department of Art announces first-ever Summer Art Camp for high school students

YSU’s Department of Art will host its first-ever Summer Art Camp June 22 – 26, 2026, at YSU’s Bliss Hall. Designed for students ages 13 to 18, the camp runs daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and explores hands-on studio experience across a range of artistic media, including painting, printmaking, photography, and graphic design. Registration is required and must be completed by June 5.

~Nois Saxophone Quartet image

~Nois Saxophone Quartet to host free masterclass and concert at YSU

The ~Nois Saxophone Quartet, one of America’s premier chamber music ensembles, will visit YSU’s Dana School of Music Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for two free events. The Chicago-based quartet will lead a masterclass beginning at 4:00 PM in Room 2200 of YSU’s Bliss Hall, followed by a public concert at 7:30 PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue. Founded in 2016, the ensemble is dedicated to championing new music for saxophone and building community through innovative, inclusive, and exceptional musical experiences.

Percussionists at Concert

Dana School of Music to host first annual YSU Percussion Invitational

YSU’s Dana School of Music will host the first-ever annual YSU Percussion Invitational Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 12:30 to 5:00 PM at Ford Theater, located in YSU’s Bliss Hall. This event will bring together high school and college ensembles and soloists from across the region for an afternoon of performances.