Topic: Arts and Humanities

Displaying 1 - 18 of 884

The art of confidence: App State's Dr. Anthony Wilson empowers the next generation of fashion designers
April 14, 2026
Professor Dr. Anthony Wilson — a two-time App State alumnus — leverages decades of industry experience to bridge the gap between the classroom and the runway, mentoring App State’s next generation of designers. Learn how he inspires his students to make a positive impact through their creative work.
The rhythm of language: App State student-led music therapy bolsters preschool speech program
April 10, 2026
A new, interdisciplinary partnership at App State is harmonizing health care. The Hayes School of Music and Beaver College of Health Sciences have launched a pilot program this spring that integrates music therapy into the university’s Preschool Language Classroom — using rhythm and song to help strengthen communication and social skills in young children.
Olympic atmosphere: App State alumna Morgan Gulisano ’18 sets the stage for hospitality at the Games
March 20, 2026
App State alum Morgan Gulisano ’18 serves as operations lead for a creative team behind hospitality spaces at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Learn how App State’s commercial photography program fostered her creative lens, which she uses to lead an international design team.
From 800 picture books to one: App State’s Jewel Davis leads Caldecott Medal selection
Davis teaches library courses and mentors K–12 educators throughout the region
Feb. 18, 2026
App State professor Jewel Davis read over 800 picture books to lead the selection of this year’s Caldecott Medal winner — an opportunity to elevate stories that spark a love of reading in a new generation. At App State, Davis brings her expertise directly to students, guiding future educators, librarians and storytellers.
App State music, theatre and dance teams collaborate to present 'Once Upon a Mattress'
The spring musical comedy is a coproduction of App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music
Jan. 14, 2026
App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music are collaborating to bring the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” — based on the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” — to life for university and regional audiences. Five performances are scheduled to take place April 15–19 in Valborg Theatre on the Boone campus.
Dr. Erin Peters develops virtual reality and web features for the Met's popular Egyptian exhibit
The project allows App State students to explore the intersection of art, history and technology
Dec. 11, 2025
App State’s Dr. Erin Peters has helped bring new life to the layered history of the ancient Egyptian Temple of Dendur — the subject of the Met’s “Dendur Decoded” virtual reality experience. Her work on the project provides opportunities for App State students to explore their classroom studies in a real-world context.
App State reopens Wey Hall and debuts new Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery
Oct. 22, 2025
Following a $26 million renovation, App State reopened Wey Hall for classes this fall, followed by the opening of the facility’s new Cathy P. Walling Student Art Gallery in late September. The newly renovated and modernized Wey Hall provides state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology and essential resources for App State students, faculty and staff.
App State and regional artists channel Helene’s impact into creative works of hope and healing
Oct. 1, 2025
After Hurricane Helene, artists at App State and in the surrounding communities of Western North Carolina turned to creative expression for healing, hope and resilience. Learn about how they channeled the storm’s impact into creative works that included visual arts, music, writing and more.
App State spotlights achievements in research, scholarship and creative activities
2025 award recipients Tashakkori and Bell give keynotes at annual showcase
Sept. 28, 2025
App State’s annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event, held Sept. 19, highlighted faculty research and creative endeavors and featured keynote speakers Dr. Rahman Tashakkori and Dr. Joby Bell — winners of the 2025 Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity.
Folk Revival After Helene [faculty and alumni featured]
Oxford American
Sept. 25, 2025
Trevor McKenzie ’10 ’12, director of App State’s Center for Appalachian Studies, speaks about the “folk revival” of traditional music communities in Western N.C. after Hurricane Helene. Also featured are App State alumni William Ritter ’17 and Leila Weinstein ’07, who both graduated with master’s degrees in Appalachian Studies.
Two Years After Cormac McCarthy’s Death, Rare Access to His Personal Library Reveals the Man Behind the Myth [faculty and alumni featured]
Smithsonian Magazine
Aug. 28, 2025
Dr. Rick Elmore ’03, associate professor in App State’s Department of Philosophy and Religion, and his twin brother, Dr. Jonathan Elmore ’02, an English professor at Louisiana Tech University, were part of a team that examined and cataloged every book in Cormac McCarthy’s personal library. Among America’s greatest novelists, McCarthy’s collection held more than 20,000 volumes on topics ranging from philosophical treatises to advanced mathematics.
App State archaeology team discovers ancient campsite at Blackburn Vannoy Estate and Farm in Ashe County
Dozens of site artifacts offer insight into early life in the High Country
July 25, 2025
App State archaeologist Dr. Alice Wright and her team of student researchers have unearthed dozens of artifacts at App State’s Blackburn Vannoy Estate and Farm in Ashe County that date back to prehistory — evidence that, 8,000 to 1,000 years ago, Native American peoples used the area as a campsite.
This North Carolina Mountain Town Hosts One Of America’s Biggest Summer Arts Celebrations
Southern Living
June 29, 2025
Southern Living features App State’s acclaimed performing and visual arts festival, An Appalachian Summer, describing it as "one of the largest regional multi‑arts festivals in America." The article explores the festival’s history, highlights its 2025 lineup and encourages readers to visit Boone, North Carolina, for this annual celebration of the arts.
App State researchers uncover hidden history at Fort Defiance
June 23, 2025
Ground-penetrating radar and App State interdisciplinary detective work have revealed 105 graves of enslaved people at Fort Defiance, adding new layers of history to the Lenoir-area landmark and confirming generations of family stories.
Appalachian State professor on new book about fermented foods and drinks of the South
WUNC
May 21, 2025
Dr. Brett Taubman, professor in App State’s Department of Chemistry and Fermentation Sciences, talks about his new book, “Southern Culture on the Fizz: An Effervescent Guide to Fermented Foods and Beverages from the American South.” Taubman is the director of the university’s fermentation sciences program.
Library celebrates the Junaluska Heritage Association [faculty featured]
Watauga Democrat
May 21, 2025
The annual Friends of the Watauga County Library celebration featured a panel discussion centered on two recently published books about Boone’s historic Junaluska neighborhood. Editors Susan Keefe, professor emerita in App State’s Department of Anthropology, and Pegge Laine spoke about their work collaborating with the community, alongside Junaluska Heritage Association members.
Appalachian Dance Ensemble marks half-century with over 500 original creative works, 5,700 participants
April 4, 2025
Since its inception in 1975, the Appalachian Dance Ensemble at App State has premiered over 500 original works — involving more than 5,700 students, faculty, guest artists and community members. Learn about the ensemble’s history and the people who have shaped it over the years.
From philosophy to AI: App State alumnus Tommy Guy ’07 champions interdisciplinary learning
Guy's support benefits students and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences
March 17, 2025
Tommy Guy ’07 said the out-of-the-box thinking he learned as a Mountaineer has been fundamental to his success since graduating from the university. Now Guy — who works at Microsoft as a principal architect for Copilot AI — remains an engaged member of the App State Community, investing in students and programs across the university.