Swing dancing, debating, painting and singing. These were just some of the types of Pop-Up Culture moments that happened at UF on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014.
Students witnessed these seemingly spontaneous performances as part of UF’s celebration of National Arts & Humanities Month.
“Pop-Up Culture was a lively day, filling the campus with a range of artistic expressions from the student body,” said Lucinda Lavelli, dean of the College of the Arts, one of the six colleges and organizations that partnered to create the event. “Today’s activities have been yet another example of UF leading the way in creative thought, a hallmark of universities.”
The day was gorgeously inviting for the dozen of student groups that hosted events. The Plaza of the Americas was especially buzzing with activity when the Cogigators stood up for hours debating questions submitted by onlookers.
Debater and first-year philosophy graduate student Jonathan Shires said he liked seeing people engaged in a public forum.
“I wish this happened all the time,” Shires said.
Onlooker and business management senior Terry Frederic said he was really enjoying the event.
“It’s a proactive way to get people interested,” Frederic said.
Shortly after, the Florida Swing Dancing Club took over the Plaza of the Americas and filled the air with music of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Meanwhile across campus, the Women’s Chorale group sang in the Fine Arts Complex Courtyard.
Another activity students could participate in was the Harn Museum of Art’s Pop-Up Paint-Out. Eric Segal, curator of academic programs, said Pop-Up Culture provided a great opportunity to share the arts and humanities with a wonderful cross-section of UF students.
“We were delighted to meet students from a wide range of majors,” he said. “Students who stopped to paint – some for more than an hour – came from biochemistry, public relations, applied physiology and kinesiology, geology, English, materials science, engineering, biology, building construction, international studies and telecommunications.”
Segal said one of the highlights from the day was a student who said, “This was just what I needed today. I loved this opportunity to relax and express myself on this shared canvas.”
To view more photos from today’s Pop-Up Culture events, click here.
More Ways to Celebrate!
Although Pop-Up Culture is over there are still plenty of opportunities to celebrate the arts and humanities this month. Organizations celebrating at UF include UF’s Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere, College of the Arts, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Museum of Art and UF Performing Arts. View their online calendar of events to learn about activities going on throughout October.
