iArts Expo will be a multi-day celebration of visual art, media, theatre and film

McMaster’s School of the Arts (SOTA) is gearing up for its first-ever iArts Expo, a three-day festival of the arts featuring works by the inaugural graduating classes of the iArts BA and BFA programs. 

The iARTS Expo, which runs from March 26 to March 28 in a variety of venues across campus, reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the iArts program, and includes a multi-disciplinary exhibition at the McMaster Museum of Art (MMA), three new theatrical performances at the Lyons Family Studio, and three new films presented at the L.R. Wilson Concert Hall.  

While there are events spread across the three days, all can be enjoyed on Saturday, March 28, which will include showings of all three plays, a gala film screening, and the opening reception for the MMA exhibit. 

“It’s a dynamic, immersive festival, with multiple venues and an enormous variety of art forms” explains Syrus Marcus Ware, an assistant professor in the School of the Arts and one of the instructors working with the graduating class. “We can’t wait to celebrate the incredible art and artists we have here at McMaster – there will be something here for everyone!”  

Along with the student works, curator-in-residence Berlin Reed will also be presenting the culminating exhibition of his residency in the Fitzhenry Studios in Togo Salmon Hall on March 27 and 28 – an interactive event including immersive performances, a sauna incorporating natural elements like honey and plants found on McMaster’s campus, and a dance party. 

Launched in 2022, the iArts BFA and BA degrees foster a variety of skills in art, performance, art histories, critical theories and research creation, and focus on enabling students to develop skills that support their personal creative expression. Student paths can include acting, game design, painting/drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, playwriting, dance and filmmaking. 

The programs are grounded in social justice, environmental responsibility and a commitment to equity, diversity and accessibility. 

“Watching this cohort of students develop as artists over the past four years has been incredible,” says Peter Cockett, a SOTA professor and also one of the graduating class’s instructors. “Not only have they each grown as artists, but they’ve had a significant role in helping to shape these early years of the iArts program. We’re looking forward to celebrating both their creativity and their contributions.” 

The iArts EXPO: Pilot events are free to attend, but some require registration.  

Thursday, March 26 

Lyons Family Studio 

• Next Time’s Coming (12:30 p.m.) 

• The Tunnel (1:30 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.) 

• Coming and Going Out (2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.) 

McMaster Museum of Art 

• iARTS EXPO: Pilot (Museum open 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.) 

Togo Salmon Hall, Room 114 

• Evie Johnny Ruddy Visiting Artist Talk: It felt like someone poured pop rocks into my heart: Queer and trans augmented reality and projection activism (4:30 p.m.to 6:30 p.m.) 

Friday, March 27 

Lyons Family Studio 

• Next Time’s Coming (12:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.) 

• The Tunnel (1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.) 

• Coming and Going Out (2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.) 

McMaster Museum of Art 

• iARTS EXPO: Pilot (Museum open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.) 

Fitzhenry Studios 

• Berlin Reed: New Moon V: Listening Party (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) 

• Interactive/participatory performance Sabi! Sabi! 

Saturday, March 28 

Lyons Family Studio 

• Next Time’s Coming (4 p.m.) 

• The Tunnel (5 p.m.) 

• Coming and Going Out (6 p.m.) 

McMaster Museum of Art 

• iARTS EXPO: Pilot (Museum open 12 p.m. to 4 p.m; Opening reception from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) 

Fitzhenry Studios 

• Berlin Reed: New Moon V: Listening Party 

• Participatory installation Experiment #21(sign-up required) (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.) 

• Berlin Reed: New Moon V: Listening Party 

• Closing party (9 p.m. to 12 a.m.) 

L.R. Wilson Concert Hall 

• Gala film screening (7:30 p.m.) 

For more information, go to the School of the Arts website.