The arts at the Radford Highlanders Festival

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is proud to be a part of the 19-year tradition of the Radford Highlanders Festival. As the Oct. 4 festival moves to Bisset Park, the CVPA has several organizations from the Departments of Music, Theatre and Art helping to make this year memorable.

The new RU Highlanders Pipe and Drums is participating in the festival’s Clan March and Massed Band Performance at 10:15 a.m. Afterward during the individual performances of the bands, they will perform a 15-20 minute set in front of the gazebo.

For those wishing to create music, the Music Therapy Student Organization of Radford University (MTSORU) is hosting a drum circle between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“We would love everyone to come out, make some beats, and learn more about how we use music therapy to promote health. We will also be serving hot chocolate if it's chilly!” club president Abby Erdman said

On the Community Stage (Shelter 1) at 3 p.m., the RU Improve Club’s Pridemore Playtime Players present a short play called “The Trials of Isabella – A Commedia.”

Another hands on events is masks making with the art education program. Richard Bay, professor of art education, and his students help children create 3D paper masks. Look for this activity in the children’s area.

Along with masks making, the Department of Art has three organizations hosting vendor booths. Enjoy the labors of the Jewelry Guild, the Ceramics Guild and the Graduate Art Students Association (GASA).

"Solder for a child and they will have a beautiful object, teach a child to solder and they will find fulfillment of self and be able to support themselves financially," is the philosophy of Alison Pack, associate professor of art, instills in her jewelry students. Soldering is a metalworking process where a low-temperature melting alloy fuses together other metals.

This sentiment is why students participate in the Jewelry Guild’s booth at the Highlanders Festival. During this event the Guild enjoys a broad audience for its wide variety of handmade jewelry. This ranges from simple beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets to fine handmade sterling silver jewelry set with precious and semi-precious stones. Commissions for custom work are also accepted.

Many students choose to become professional craftspeople and this type of experiential learning gives them the opportunity to understand the behind-the-scenes of craft fairs.

Though the students make money, the objective is to raise funds and awareness for the Guild and jewelry program. The Guild hosts a variety of workshops during the school year and this festival fundraiser helps support events.

Like the Jewelry Guild, the Ceramics Guild’s goal is to raise funds through the sale of its work for a visiting artists program and to finance field trips, as well as to support local philanthropy efforts.

GASA’s booth features photographs, watercolor paintings, drawings and notecards for sale, created by RU graduate art students.

By supporting these organizations’ efforts, these opportunities provide CVPA students with a way use their art as a means of engaging in civic events.

For more information about the Radford Highlanders Festival, visit http://www.radford.edu/content/festival/home.html or call 540-831-6255.