Honors set for Returning Artist Christopher J. Watkins at public reception, November 13

The Arts & Letters Commission invites the community to a reception honoring Returning Artist Christopher J. Watkins at 7 pm on Wednesday, November 13 in the UCHS Pruitt Library, 7401 Balson Ave. (Jackson Ave. entrance).
  Watkins is a noted music director and composer from the University City High School Class of 1988.

As the commission’s 2019 honoree, Watkins will work with music students in elementary, middle and high school classrooms in a series of sessions during the week of Nov. 11-15 and will also share his expertise in assemblies with younger students as well as master classes with older music students. 

He said he “looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm for various genres of music and his memories of the impact University City Schools have had on his life journey.”  Watkins’ musical journey began in his early teens when he began playing the piano and organ at church, taught by his musician mother, Anita Watkins-Stevens.  He remained in the area after his time in the school district, continuing his education at Webster University.

Since 1994, the commission’s Returning Artist program annually features artistically renowned graduates of University City High School who return to share their fields of work.  Typically, one artist is invited per school year, and all visiting alumni artists have established careers in their fields.  Program activities are concentrated at University City High School in a variety of classes.  Some activities take place in middle school and elementary school classes in both public and non-public schools.

There are two goals of the program:  to encourage students to investigate careers in the arts and to enrich the schools’ art programs.  Returning artists have included visual artists, glassblowers, photographers, writers, filmmakers, graphic designers, videographers, animators, instrumental musicians, composers, actors, singers and dancers.  A complete list of the honorees may be found here.

Questions about the program may be sent to the commission, at ucityartsandletters@gmail.com.

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Returning Artist for 2018: musician Jeffrey Anderson, UCHS Class of 1975

The Returning Artist honoree for 2018 is musician Jeffrey Anderson, University City High School Class of 1975.  Anderson was chosen by the Municipal Commission on Arts and Letters of University City for his extensive experience in the world of music and education.

Anderson holds a Masters degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville and is currently an adjunct faculty at Washington University in St. Louis.  A more complete biography may be found at the School District’s website.

The public is invited to meet Anderson, and hear of his experiences, at a special reception at 7 p.m. on Wednesday November 14th at the University City High School Pruitt Library, 7401 Balson Avenue.

Since 1994, the commission’s Returning Artist program annually features artistically renowned graduates of University City High School who return to share their fields of work.

Typically, one artist is invited per school year, and all visiting alumni artists have established careers in their fields.  Program activities are concentrated at University City High School in a variety of classes.  Some activities take place in middle school and elementary school classes in both public and non-public schools.

There are two goals of the program:  to encourage students to investigate careers in the arts and to enrich the schools’ art programs.

Returning artists have included visual artists, glassblowers, photographers, writers, filmmakers, graphic designers, videographers, animators, instrumental musicians, composers, actors, singers and dancers.  A complete list of the honorees can be found here.

Raquel Hunter, Class of ’96, named 2018 Returning Artist — reception February 8

The Commission is pleased to present University City High School graduate and children’s author Raquel Hunter as our 2018 Returning Artist.   The public is invited to attend a special reception to honor her at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 8 in University City High School’s Pruitt Media Center, 7401 Balson Avenue (the Jackson Park entrance).

A 1996 graduate, Ms. Hunter has published the well-received book,  Diary of a Diva’s Daughter with a DO-IT-ALL Dad starring Brave Rave.

Ms. Hunter will work with school children through the week of the reception and encourage them to investigate careers in the arts.

Since 1994, the Returning Artist program annually features artistically renowned graduates of University City High School who return to share their fields of work.

2017 Returning Artist Dr. Stan Ford honored February 22 at public reception in UCHS

The Commission is pleased to present University City High School graduate and internationally respected concert pianist Dr. Stan Ford as our 2017 Returning Artist.   The public is invited to attend a special reception to honor him at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22 in University City High School, 7401 Balson Avenue.

A 1975 graduate, he was inducted into the University City High School Hall of Fame in 2000. Dr. Ford is a professor of music at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He holds degrees in music performance and education, piano pedagogy and chamber music and balances a very busy teaching schedule with solo and chamber music concerts throughout Europe, North and South America and parts of Asia.

Dr. Ford will work with school children through the week of the reception and encourage them to investigate careers in the arts.

Since 1994, the Returning Artist program annually features artistically renowned graduates of University City High School who return to share their fields of work.

Returning Artist Marlon West honored by St. Louis International Film Forum

The Municipal Commission on Arts and Letters of University City congratulates animator Marlon West, UCHS alum, who will receive the 2016 St. Louis International Film Festival’s Cinema St. Louis Award for his achievements in animation. West has worked on over a dozen animated features for Disney, including “The Lion King,” “Mulan,” and “Frozen.”

He was also our first participant in the Returning Artist Program, in 1994, which features artistically renowned graduates of University City High School who return to the school system to share their fields of work with students.

More information on his latest honor can be found at the film festival’s website, http://www.cinemastlouis.org/sliff/2016/behind-scenes-of-disneys-moana

Award-winning photographer Wiley Price honored as 2016 Returning Artist, reception February 25

(Photo Courtesy Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame)

Wiley Price, the award-winning photojournalist for the St. Louis American, has been chosen as the 2016 Returning Artist by the Municipal Commission on Arts and Letters for University City.

The Returning Artist Program brings artistically renowned University City High School graduates to work with students and encourage them to investigate careers in the arts.

Mr. Price will be honored at a reception on Thursday, February 25 at 7 p.m. in the McNair Board Room, 8136 Groby Road. The public is invited to attend.

A 1975 graduate of University City High School, Price has photographed every president since Jimmy Carter, celebrities, pro athletes, generals, artists and local, everyday life in memorable ways. In addition to the St. Louis American, his photos have appeared in the Washington Post, Ebony magazine, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Kansas City Star and the Detroit Free Press. In 2012 he was inducted into the Missouri  Photojournalist Hall of Fame and was named one of the NAACP’s 100 most inspiring St. Louisans.

Samples of his work are on display at the Missouri Photojournalist Hall of Fame website.

Past returning artists have included visual artists, glassblowers, writers, filmmakers, musicians, actors, singers and dancers.

Questions about the program may be sent to the commission via email,  ucityartsandletters@gmail.com.