Exhibit Events Touch Theme of Extinction

This fall’s Requiem: Ectopistes Migratorius multi-media exhibition in the Williams Center for the Arts gallery was complemented by activities led by artist-in-residence and avian musician Michael Pestel. It marked the centennial of the extinction of North America’s passenger pigeon.

Students performed with Pestel at the opening reception. Later in the semester, a centennial commemoration featured the dance This Bitter Earth performed by Melissa Bucher ’15, Marisa Ferraro ’16, Carli Jones ’17, Rebecca Murray ’15, Grace Todesco ’17, and Carly Trachtman ’16.

The Lafayette Contemporary Music Ensemble presented an Avian Requiem concert in November.

In addition, students and faculty presented a reader’s theater production of Song of Extinction by E.M. Lewis. They were accompanied by violist Joanna Harris ’17 (left) and Pestel. The programming associated with the exhibit was supported by the Mellon Foundation Grant to infuse arts throughout the curriculum, says Michiko Okaya, director of Lafayette art galleries.