COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
ARTISTS in RESIDENCE
EXHIBITS | MASTER CLASSES | PERFORMANCES | READINGS | WORKSHOPS
UCA Artists in Residence Program
The University of Central Arkansas Artists in Residence (AiR) program is a dynamic initiative that brings nationally and internationally recognized artists to campus each year. Funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee paid by all students, the program is rooted in a vision established by the UCA Board of Trustees on February 18, 2000: to “expand artistic opportunities and supplement and enhance university life and academic programs.”
Since its founding, the AiR program has hosted more than 700 artists—including actors, choreographers, composers, creative writers, dancers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, and others. These residencies have offered thousands of enriching experiences such as public exhibits, master classes, performances, readings, film screenings, workshops, and other student-centered learning opportunities.
Artist residencies have become an essential and vibrant component of the curriculum at UCA, contributing meaningfully to both academic and cultural life on campus and to the Central Arkansas community.
The program is supported by the UCA Arts Fee, with additional sponsorship from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place on the UCA campus at 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway, AR 72035.
BERNADETTE SPEACH, MUSIC COMPOSITION/JOURNALISM
Bernadette Speach is a composer, pianist, and educator whose 40-year career spans classical, jazz, and avantgarde traditions. A native of Syracuse, New York, she earned degrees in music from The College of Saint Rose and SUNY Buffalo, where she studied with Morton Feldman. Speach’s music blends precision with raw emotion, as showcased in her latest opera, The Little Rock Nine, a collaboration with librettist Thulani Davis about the 1957–58 school desegregation crisis at Little Rock Central High School. Her works have been commissioned by leading arts institutions and performed by renowned ensembles, including the Arditti String Quartet and pianist Anthony de Mare. A recipient of numerous grants and awards—including an Opera America Discovery Grant—Speach has also led influential arts organizations and taught at institutions including The New School and Brooklyn College. Her long-standing collaborations with Thulani Davis have redefined poetry-music fusion, earning praise for their innovative, emotionally resonant style. For more information, see bernadettespeach.com; for more information about the residency, contact Dr. Donna Lampkin Stephens, School of Communication, donnals@uca.edu.
SEPTEMBER
16
12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Student Event: Conversation with Composer Bernadette Speach about Interdisciplinary Projects
Stanley Russ Hall 103
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Film Screening: The Crisis Mr. Faubus Made: The Role of the Arkansas Gazette in the Central High Crisis (2010, Kevin Clark, dir., 30 min.), with Q & A by Composer Bernadette Speach and Film Co-Writer Dr. Donna Lampkin Stephens
Stanley Russ Hall 103
17
18
12 - 12:50 p.m.
Student Event: Round-Table Discussion for Interdisciplinary Students with Composer Bernadette Speach, Journalist Ernie Dumas, and Civil Rights
Activist Elizabeth Eckford, moderated by Dr. Donna Lampkin Stephens
Stanley Russ Hall 103
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Public Event: A Conversation with Little Rock Nine Opera Composer
Bernadette Speach with Video Clips from the Little Rock Nine Opera, moderated by Dr. Donna Lampkin Stephens
Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts Concert Hall
SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2025
KATIE WATERS, FOLEY ARTS
Foley artist Katie Waters brings stories to life through the power of sound. With a background in acting and a B.A. in Film from Columbia College Chicago, Waters discovered her passion for post-production and the unique artistry of Foley. Her work involves creating and recording live sound effects that heighten realism and emotion in film, podcasts, and video games. Since joining Noisefloor in 2014, Waters has worn many hats—Studio Manager, Producer, and now their in-house
Foley artist—helping to build and run the organization’s custom Foley stage. She skillfully performs, cues, and edits Foley sessions, and supervises sound on select film projects. A proud MPSE member, her work on Destiny 2 has earned Golden Reel and G.A.N.G. Award nominations. Waters believes in the storytelling power of custom Foley, and passionately advocates for its creative value over prerecorded libraries. For more information, contact Professor Emily Railsback, Dept. of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, erailsback@uca.edu.
SEPTEMBER
1:40 - 3 p.m.
Public Event: Interactive SoundFX for Movies Event and Ice Cream Social Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts Lobby
5 - 6:30 p.m.
Student Event: Sound Lab with Foley Artist Katie Waters
Stanley Russ Hall 103
SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
KAI COGGIN, POETRY
OCTOBER
07
10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Kai Coggin (she/her) is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and a 2024 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow for her community poetry project SHARING TREE SPACE. She is the author of five poetry collections, most recently Mother of Other Kingdoms (2024). A Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominee, Coggin’s work appears in POETRY, “Poets. org,” Prairie Schooner, Sinister Wisdom, and more. Ten of her poems are headed to the moon via the Lunar Codex project. A K-12 teaching artist with the Arkansas Arts Council and Certified Master Naturalist, she also hosts Wednesday Night Poetry, the nation’s longest-running weekly open mic, in Hot Springs. Coggin has received the 2023 Don Munro Leadership in the Arts Award, the 2021 Governor’s Arts Award for Arts in Education, and two “Best Poet in Arkansas” honors. She serves on several editorial boards and lives in a peaceful valley with her wife, devoted to poetry, nature, and community. For more information, contact Dr. Taine Duncan, Dept. of Philosophy and Religious Studies, tduncan@uca.edu.
Student Event: Generative Writing Workshop #1 Main Hall 203
14 1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
21
10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Student Event: Generative Writing Workshop #2 Main Hall 203
Public Event: The AIDS Memorial Quilt Opening Reception and Remembrance Tribute. Hosting and poetry reading by Kai Coggin Reynolds Performance Hall Lobby
KORTO MOMOLU, TEXTILE ARTS
SEPTEMBER
29
30
9 - 11:50 a.m.
Korto Momolu (pronounced Cut • Toe – Mo • Mo • Lu), a distinguished fashion designer originally from Liberia, is internationally recognized for her innovative, body-inclusive designs. Her work thoughtfully integrates traditional African aesthetics with contemporary fashion, resulting in collections that are both culturally rich and visually compelling. Known for her use of bold colors, dynamic patterns, and artisanal craftsmanship, Momolu brings a refined bohemian sensibility to modern design. She rose to prominence as a finalist on Bravo’s Project Runway Season 5 and returned for two seasons of Project Runway All Stars, further establishing her place in the fashion industry. Her designs have been featured at New York Fashion Week and on global platforms, earning acclaim for their originality and cultural resonance. Korto Momolu’s work exemplifies the power of fashion as a medium for storytelling, identity, and innovation—making her a valuable inspiration for emerging designers and creative professionals. For more information, contact Professor Rebekah Luong, Dept. of Nutrition and Family Sciences, rlindsey@uca.edu.
Student Event: Work with Beginning Interior & Apparel
Construction Class (FACS 1370)
McAlister 311
8 - 10:40 a.m.
Student Event: Work with Beginning Interior & Apparel
Construction Class (FACS 1370)
McAlister 311
11:50 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Student Event: Work with Business of Embroidery & Textiles Class (FACS 3359)
McAlister 311
OCTOBER
11 a.m. - 1:50 p.m.
Student Event: Work with Advanced Interior & Apparel
Construction Class (FACS 3361)
McAlister 311
06
9 - 11:50 a.m.
Student Event: Work with Beginning Interior & Apparel
Construction Class (FACS 1370)
McAlister 311
07
8 - 10:40 a.m.
Student Event: Work with Beginning Interior & Apparel
Construction Class (FACS 1370)
McAlister 311
11:50 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Student Event: Work with Business of Embroidery & Textiles Class (FACS 3359)
McAlister 311
08
21
11 a.m. - 1:50 p.m.
Student Event: Work with Advanced Interior & Apparel
Construction Class (FACS 3361)
McAlister 311
1:40 - 3 p.m.
Public Event: The AIDS Memorial Quilt Opening Reception and Remembrance Tribute with Unveiling of New Quilt Panel by Korto Momolu
Reynolds Performance Hall Lobby
INDIGO GIRLS, FOLK ROCK MUSIC
With their 1989 major label debut album Indigo Girls, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers sold more than two million copies under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” (reprised in the 2023 movie Barbie) and “Kid Fears,” turning the Indigo Girls into two of the most successful folk artists in history. Over a thirty-seven-year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the multi-Grammywinning pair recorded sixteen studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. Rolling Stone describes them as the “ideal duet partners.” They are co-founders of Honor the Earth, a nonprofit dedicated to the survival of sustainable Native communities, Indigenous environmental justice, and green energy solutions. This event is a collaboration with UCA Public Appearances. For more information, contact Dr. Paige Rose, CAHSS, prose@uca.edu
OCTOBER
20
2 - 5 p.m.
Public Film Screening: Indigo Girls, It’s Only Life After All (2023, Alexandria Bombach dir., 2h 3m, mature audiences) Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center 111-113 (free event; no tickets required)
7 p.m.
Public Event: Indigo Girls in Concert
Reynolds Performance Hall (UCA students can obtain one free ticket to this event by visiting the box office at Reynolds Performance Hall or Windgate Center. Students must present their UCA Bear Card to receive a ticket; however, a limited number of tickets are available. For general public ticketing, contact UCA Public Appearances@ 501-450-3265; uca.edu/pa.)
THIS EVENT IS A COLLABORATION WITH UCA PUBLIC APPEARANCES.
THE AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT, VISUAL ART
The AIDS Memorial Quilt, a powerful testament to lives lost and love remembered, began in San Francisco in 1987 with a single handmade panel. Today, it has grown into a monumental 54-ton tapestry comprising more than 50,000 individual panels—each measuring 3’ x 6’, the size of a standard coffin. Created by hundreds of thousands of friends, family members, and loved ones, The Quilt stands as the largest ongoing community art project in the world. Each panel is a deeply personal tribute, commemorating more than 110,000 individuals who have died from AIDS. By honoring their memory, The Quilt brings humanity to the statistics, fosters awareness of the history and ongoing impact of the epidemic, and invites reflection, empathy, and healing. As part of this exhibition, two 12’ x 12’ blocks honoring Arkansans lost to AIDS will be on display—reminding us of the power of collective remembrance and the importance of continued advocacy. For more information, contact Dr. Paige Rose, CAHSS, prose@uca.edu.
OCTOBER
06-31
Monday - Friday
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
631 , 2025
On View: The AIDS Memorial Quilt
Reynolds Performance Hall Lobby
1:40 - 3 p.m.
Public Event: The AIDS Memorial Quilt Opening
Reception and Remembrance Tribute
Reynolds Performance Hall Lobby
The AIDS Memorial Quilt (Select Arkansas Panels)
NITA MENDOZA, LIGHTING DESIGN
Nita Mendoza is a proud Chicana lighting designer based in Southern California. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she brings warmth, energy, and a deep love of storytelling to every project. Mendoza holds an MFA in Lighting Design from UC Irvine and a B.A. in Technical Theatre from UT El Paso, with a concentration in lighting and a minor in graphic design. Her work blends strong technical foundations with creative expression, shaped by her cultural roots and commitment to collaboration. Whether illuminating a stage or crafting visual elements as a graphic designer, she thrives in creative spaces where artists come together to make meaningful work. Her designs reflect her belief in light as a powerful storytelling tool—one that can evoke emotion, shift perspective, and deepen connection. Grounded in family, community, and culture, Mendoza is dedicated to creating bold, beautiful work that resonates with audiences and collaborators alike. For more information, contact Professor Shauna Meador, Dept. of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, smeador@uca.edu.
NOVEMBER
03
04
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Student Event: Meet with Digital Design class
Snow Fine Arts 217
9:25 - 10:40 a.m.
Student Event: Meet with Fundamentals of Theatrical Design class
Snow Fine Arts 217
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Student Event: Lighting Design Master Class
Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, James Bridges Black Box Theatre
12:15 - 1:15 p.m.
James Bridges Black Box Theatre 06
Student Event: Meeting with Drama-Teatro: Staging
Spanish One-Act Plays class
Irby 205
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Public Event: The Art of Lighting Design with Demonstration by Nita Mendoza
Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts,
OCTOBER 13, 2024
NOVEMBER 36, 2025
BESSIE FLORES ZALDÍVAR, CREATIVE WRITING
Bessie Flores Zaldívar (all pronouns) is a queer writer from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, and liberation. With an MFA in fiction from Virginia Tech, Zaldívar brings a rich, transnational perspective to their writing and teaching. Currently based in New Haven, Connecticut, they teach creative writing at Quinnipiac University, where they mentor emerging voices with insight and empathy. Their debut publication, Libertad, marks a bold and lyrical entrance into contemporary literature, blending narrative innovation with emotional depth. As an artist in residence, Zaldívar shares their commitment to storytelling as both a personal and political act, inviting communities to engage in dialogue, memory, and imagination. Through readings and public events, Zaldívar cultivates spaces of radical creativity and inclusion, amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering cross-cultural connection. For more information, contact Professor Acie Clark, Dept. of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, kclark27@uca.edu.
NOVEMBER
06
12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Student Event: Craft Talk with Creative Writing students
McCastlain Hall Fireplace Room
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Student Event: Conversation with students from multiple disciplines (Creative Writing, Gender Studies, Spanish, etc.)
McCastlain Hall Fireplace Room
4 - 5 p.m.
Student Event: Masterclass with MFA Creative Writing students
Win Thompson Hall 104
07
4 p.m.
Student Event: Interview with editors of Arkana (UCA’s national online literary magazine)
Win Thompson Hall 331
6 - 7 p.m.
Public Event: Reading/Keynote and Book Signing (C. D. Wright Women Writers Conference)
McCastlain Hall Ballroom
SHARON LOUDEN, VISUAL ART, ARTS ADVOCACY
Sharon Louden is a visual artist, educator, and leading advocate for artists’ roles in society. Known for her dynamic installations and drawings, Louden’s work has been exhibited in major institutions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, Washington DC’s National Gallery of Art, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Her practice explores movement, line, and transformation, often using industrial materials in innovative ways. In addition to her studio work, Louden is the editor of Living and Sustaining a Creative Life, a bestselling series that highlights real-world experiences of contemporary artists. She has been a visiting lecturer at numerous universities and served as the Artistic Director of the Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution. Through her creative practice, writing, and leadership, Louden champions the value of artists as essential contributors to cultural and civic life, making her a vital voice in contemporary art and education. For more information, contact Dr. Gayle Seymour, CAHSS, gayles@uca.edu.
NOVEMBER
11
12
12 – 1:30 p.m.
Conversation and Lunch with Sharon Louden and UCA Students
Collaborative Reading Room, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts, UCA
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Intimate Gathering and Book Signing with Sharon Louden
Esse Purse Museum, 1510 Main St, Little Rock
2:45 - 3:50 p.m.
Class meeting with Nursing Care of the Older Adults (Nursing 3408)
Integrated Health Sciences Building 245, UCA
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Panel Discussion and Book Signing with Sharon Louden and Members of Central Arkansas Collective
The Studio Downtown, 1100 Oak St, Conway
13
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meeting with Nursing Students in the S-TAP program who provide therapeutic activities for community members with cognitive decline
Integrated Health Sciences Building, UCA
OCTOBER 13, 2024
NOVEMBER 112025
LOOKING AHEAD TO SPRING 2026
JOIN US FOR THESE EXCITING RESIDENCIES!
January 20-22 | Paradise Winds, Reed Quintet
Early Spring | Aida Ayers, Visual Art
Early Spring | Kat Wilson, Visual Art
February 17-18 | Melissa Febos, Creative Writing
February 17-18 | Donika Kelly, Creative Writing
March 9-13 | Ben Grimes, Acting
March 19-21 | Mati Diop, Film Directing
Late Spring | Jerry W. Mitchell, Investigative Journalism
April 6-17 | Herron Horton Architects, Architecture and Interior Design
April 10-11 | Sō Percussion, Percussion Quartet
May 31-June 20 | Nita Mendoza, Lighting Design