THREADS. CONNECTIONS. STORIES.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025–26 season of the Fine Arts Series at SUNY Brockport!
This year, we celebrate creativity, connection, and collaboration with the theme Threads: Humanity Across the Arts. Through a wide range of performances, exhibitions, and special events, we are proud to tell stories that reflect our shared humanity and explore the many ways the arts can connect us across disciplines, cultures, and perspectives.
This season marks a joyful return to the Mainstage Theatre for many performances, alongside productions in the Black Box Theatre, Hartwell Hall’s dance venues, and other campus spaces. From acclaimed guest artists to powerful student-driven productions, the Fine Arts Series offers a range of meaningful opportunities for artistic engagement both within our campus and throughout the greater Brockport community.
We are also pleased to introduce Creative Exchange—a curated series that brings together free arts talks, guest lectures, and special events happening across campus into one cohesive collection. Designed to spark dialogue and offer behind-the-scenes perspectives from creative professionals, Creative Exchange events showcase the incredible range of talent and thought leadership we welcome to Brockport each year.
This year’s season includes remarkable examples of collaboration:
- Opera On Tap (Rochester) launches a multi-part residency featuring community events, a voice recital, and the world premiere of Tea Leaves, a newly commissioned work.
- The a cappella group Ball in the House brings their powerful performance And Now I See: Race, Racism, and American Music to campus with support from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
- The renowned Vision of Sound returns to Brockport for its 20th anniversary season—launching their statewide tour right here, where it all began—with performances of music and dance created in close collaboration by composers, choreographers, and performers.
In addition, as SUNY Brockport hosts the 2025 New York Conference on Asian Studies, the Fine Arts Series is proud to present programming that celebrates Asian cultures, including the stunning gallery exhibition Miniature Splendor: A Journey Through Indian Painting Traditions and a performance by Chinese pipa player Leah Ou, blending traditional and contemporary musical influences.
I am honored to serve as Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and to support the Fine Arts Series during this exciting and dynamic season. I also extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to the new Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Monica Brasted, whose leadership and advocacy for the arts continue to shape this program in meaningful ways.
With the collaboration of our department Chairs and Fine Arts Series Manager Anna Burklin, we are building a culture of curiosity, joy, and appreciation for the arts at Brockport. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or joining us for the first time, we invite you to experience the richness and vitality of the arts this season.
Warmly,
Dr. Denise Copelton
Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences