ArtsFest series of events aimed at bringing community together

GREENCASTLE -- Art has the potential to break down barriers and build cities. Art can be a way for communities to come together. Art, even at its most controversial, inspires conversation and interaction. It is these notions of art that are the focus of ArtsFest 2010: Art and the Green Castle. Staged as a way for art to bind the DePauw community with the greater Greencastle community, the Oct. 31 through Nov. 6 week of art activities focuses on bringing "townies" to campus and students to town.

This year people might experience Artsfest at the Putnam County Museum or the movie theatre or even in a local restaurant. Art is everywhere in our community; it is composed, created, sung and experienced in schools, on campus, in businesses, in parks and even out in the cornfields.

The whimsical title, Art and the Green Castle, is an invitation to play in the Green Castle we call home, so events have been scheduled in town and on campus to encourage the DePauw community out of the "bubble" and to invite the Greencastle community to feel more at home on campus. All the community's children are invited to Art Attack on Sunday, Oct. 31 from 12:40 to 4 p.m. to experience art, crafts, poetry and music at the Green Center for the Performing Arts.

On the same day, all are invited to play a round of artsy miniature golf in Bowman Park outside the Green Center. Play for free but donations of art supplies (or cash) to support art in local schools will be gratefully accepted. Local businesses have teamed up with artists and musicians to offer Art Walk Through the Green Castle on Friday from 3 to 10 p.m. An Art Walk voucher, available free, entitles you to special offers at the participating venues.

Much of the art we'll witness at ArtsFest asks us to think about the veils and borders inside and around our community. The classic Indiana film "Breaking Away," showing free at Ashley Square Cinemas on Monday at 7:30 p.m., asks its viewers to consider the relationship between "the cutters" and a college campus.

The Greenbag Lunch series held in a variety of locations on and off campus throughout the week will allow discussions about community and poetry, music, stories, and visual art.

"The Veil: Visible and Invisible Spaces" on exhibit at the Peeler Gallery asks us to consider the "veil" in a larger communal context and to think about the veils between us.

On Thursday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m., author and DePauw alumnus, Matt Dellinger will read from his book "Interstate 69: The Unfinished History of the Last Great American Highway," which asks us to consider how a road -- one planned to pass close by -- impacts community and the nation it may cross.

Advanced theatre students from Greencastle High School will team with the Greencastle Service Theatre to create an original interactive performance about the relationship of Putnam County youth to the larger.

The ongoing "This I Believe" Putnam County Reads series will culminate at the Prindle Institute of Ethics on Thursday, Nov. 4 with members throughout our community sharing their essays on their own beliefs.

Music -- playing and singing it, listening and dancing to it -- will ring out through the week. The DePauw Symphony Orchestra will present "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" at 3 p.m. during Art Attack.

Community member students of DePauw voice faculty will perform in "Opening Doors" on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Greencastle's castle, Meharry Hall.

On Friday, Nov 5 ArtsFest will be hosting a "First Friday" type of event in downtown Greencastle with local businesses. Discount vouchers will entitle patrons to half price drinks or free hors de overes at participating locations, which will also be previewing local musicians and artists.

All are invited to Tad Robinson and Friends, the closing night party on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Green Center for the Performing Arts. Rumor has it that the renowned blues artist's "friends" is local favorite, the Average House Band.

This is only a sampling. The schedule is teaming with more art exhibits, openings, musical performances, and films. All are free and open to the public.

Go to www.depauw.edu/arts/artsfest to view all the events in detail.

Brochures are available at the events or by contacting gfenlon@depauw.edu or 658-4485.