The week of April 3, Fayetteville State University will host its Fine Arts Week. FSU is committed to supporting the arts year-round as a part of its curriculum. Fine Arts Week is special because it is packed with a variety of performances featuring different themes and mediums. This is a perfect time to experience something new and engage in relevant conversation with other members of the community. For more information, visit www.fsuarts.com. Many of the events are free and open to the public.

The first part of Fine Arts Week is an Invitational Exhibition of Women Artists featuring the work of Sonya Clark. The exhibit focuses specifically on the works of female artists of color from around the United States. Sonya Clark is an American artist born in Washington, D.C. She is of Afro-Caribbean heritage, and her work often addresses race, culture, class and history. She engages these difficult topics often through the use of hair, both symbolically and physically. This exhibit has been open since Feb. 24 and closes April 8 at 7 p.m. The exhibition is in the Rosenthal Gallery located at 1200 Murchison Road. April 8, Sonya Clark visits FSU to talk about her work that was featured in the art exhibit. She is a highly-acclaimed artist and has exhibited work in over 300 museums and galleries across the world. She has also received many awards and fellowships such as the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship. Her success has given her incredible opportunities to travel, explore, research and learn. She will be bringing an entire lifetime of learning and creativity to Fayetteville for the community to explore. This is an incredible opportunity to learn and to engage with one of the most brilliantly creative artists in the country. Her talk will take place in the Rosenthal Gallery at 1200 Murchison Road from 1-3 p.m.

April 3 features a musical recital with art songs and spirituals in Seabrook Auditorium. The performance is titled Songs of a People. Performers include Dr. Denise Payton and Dr. Amanda Virelles. 

At 2 p.m. on April 4m Jim White will speak about career pathways in the music industry. Also, on April 4, the student chamber music ensemble will perform Petite Musical at 7 p.m. in Seabrook Auditorium.

On April 5, Seabrook Auditorium hosts the music student solo recitals at noon with the FSU Concert Band performing April 6 at 7 p.m. 

April 6-8 at 7:30 p.m.  a comedy-drama rock musical is scheduled to take pace in the Butler Theater. The show is called Passing Strange and it is by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling the FSU Box Office at 910.672.1724. This show focuses on the story of a young African-American man as he travels through Europe. His journey is one of self-discovery and artistic growth. The show has been widely produced from Broadway to a filmed version directed by Spike Lee in 2008. The show addresses many themes such as identity, love and art.  

On April 7 from 7 - 9 p.m., don’t’ miss Can I Kick It, which will be at the Bronco Theater at 1200 Murchison Road.  The event is presented by Shaolin Jazz. This film experience is unlike any other. DJ 2-Tone Jones will mix a soundtrack live to accompany a cult classic martial arts film. The mix will feature hip-hop, Soul and Funk. Each screening is an entirely unique performance as the music is mixed live. This soundtrack is intended to give the audiences a new viewing experience. The music highlights certain elements in scenes and fights in a way that traditional soundtracks would not. The show combines classic kung-fu with classic hip-hop to combine an incredible and new viewing experience. It explores a phenomenon that has occurred since the 1970s:  how African-American culture and East Asian culture have intersected in interesting and engaging ways.