The newly formed Center for Beauty at Franciscan University of Steubenville is launching an inaugural series of Monday evening talks, recitals, and performances to be held throughout the spring semester.

“There is a long tradition in the Catholic Church to create beautiful art, beautiful music, and other artistic expressions as a way to connect what is transcendent to the human experience,” says Dr. Paul Symington, dean of the School of Theology and Philosophy. “We want our students to both appreciate beauty when they experience it and inspire them to create beautiful works in various mediums.”

This semester, the Center for Beauty has scheduled five events in its Monday Arts and Culture Series. The first event was a January 31 talk by acclaimed author Joseph Pearce on “The Evangelizing Power of Beauty.”

All upcoming events are open to the entire University community and the general public at no cost and will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the J.C. Williams Center’s Tony and Nina Gentile Gallery (May 2 performance is 8:00 p.m., Christ the King Chapel).

Monday, February 28, 6;00 p.m.

“Tintoretto’s Lamp: Putting Flesh on Invisible Bones,” by Franciscan University Associate Professor of Art Linus Meldrum

Monday, March 28, 6:00 p.m.

Recital: “Liederabend—an Evening of German Song” with Dr. Jessica Ewell, associate professor of music and Professor Eliza Symington, adjunct professor of music, and student soloists.

Monday, April 25, 6:00 p.m.

“Mozart! A Listen and Learn Musical Performance” featuring Stephan Tavani, violin, assistant concertmaster with the Cleveland Orchestra; Stanley Konopka, viola, director of Franciscan University’s chamber orchestra and assistant principal violist with the Cleveland Orchestra, and Audrey Konopka, pianist, Franciscan University philosophy major.

Monday, May 2, 8:00 p.m.

Musical Performance in Christ the King Chapel

“The Music of Tavener and Bach” featuring the Franciscan University Chamber Orchestra with Rodrigo Ojeda, principal keyboardist, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra; and Stanley Konopka, director of Franciscan University’s Chamber Orchestra and assistant principal violist with the Cleveland Orchestra.

The Center draws its inspiration from St. John Paul II who stated in his Letter to Artists that beauty is “an invitation to savor life and to dream of the future. That is why the beauty of created things can never fully satisfy. It stirs that hidden nostalgia for God” (No. 26).

The Center for Beauty is directed by its steering committee, including Franciscan University faculty from the Fine Arts and English departments, and is made possible by generous support through Student Life, Academic Affairs, and the Henkels Family Fund.

For more information and video on demand of some presentations, go to franciscan.edu/monday-arts-and-culture-series.