The CalArtian NY // April '25 // ed.5
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS.
This month we are feeling inspired by the Feminist Art Program, which was active at CalArts from 1971-1976. We’re reflecting on how seeds sown during these few years continue to grow into ideas that shape our current reality (for the better) and how the act of bringing community together around events like Womanhouse had ripple effects that we still feel today.
Our goal with this newsletter is to gather community, to support work, to celebrate each other and our causes. We hope connecting people more can lead to energy to host events, encourage mentorship, and share ideas. If you'd like to get involved or offer feedback, please email us at calartianny@gmail.com.
EVENTS IN TOWN
Plato Caves: Screens vs Shadows
Join CalArts alum Steven Wendt (Theater, 09) for an early workshop of a show in development for young audiences – especially ages 5 – 12 yrs old.
RSVP here
Sunday April 20th 2 - 3 pm
at The Chocolate Factory Theater
Ericka Beckman: Power of the Spin
Gallery show of the work of Ericka Beckman (‘76) ranging from sketches and storyboards to large-scale finished compositions created at different moments throughout her career.
On view at the Drawing Center through May 11.
This Hyperallergic review of the show,
Ericka Beckman’s Surreal Visions of Late Capitalism discusses her work and time at CalArts in the 1970s.
(you can watch an example of the work online: Ericka Beckman - 'You The Better' (1983)
“A Poets Read in the Garden”
19 April 3pm including: Ama Birch (Critical Studies ‘09) We are the Genre “A Poets Read in the Garden” Greenspace at President (222 Fifth ave. Brooklyn)
EVENTS AROUND TOWN
New Jersey Ballet: LEGACY & VISION
Twyla Tharp's Nine Sinatra Songs and a world premiere by Harrison Ball. Lighting design by Brandon Stirling Baker (Theater, 10) (NJPAC)
April 24-25 Tickets
Abby Posner
(Music, 06) Musician, singer & songwriter announces dates for spring / summer dates in various cities. Performance Dates and spotify
READING / LISTENING
Part of the Practice (Podcast) 16: Space Making with Nic Benacerraf
Nic Benacerraf (Theater, 12) is in conversation with host Catherine LaSota on this episode of Part of the Practice. Nic, Facilitator, educator, and scholar, talks about their work with multidisciplinary group Edge Effect, as well as their history of facilitation work and identification as a space maker and director.
PQ Stories: Ian Garret
Ian Garret (Theater 2008) reflects on visiting the Prague Quadrennial in 2003 in the IG feature for the PQ.
Congrats to Coleman Zurkowski (Music, 14)
“ My third letter for @sesamestreet is live on HBO Max :) I wrote the music for the letter “M” which is for Machines ⚙️🤖 in particular, ice cream machines “
Season 55, Episode 10 “The Grouch Machine” -
WBGO's Jazz Appreciation Month 2025: CalArts
WBGO is a public radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey. In a series on schools they share work of recent graduates of the Jazz program at CalArts. (support public radio)
CalArts training plus AI. Are you into it?
‘We tried to train it like it was a kid in art school’: artist David Salle (Art ‘75) on using an AI model to enhance his painting practice
Yalda Afsah Turns Her Camera on the Crowd | Frieze
Profile on artist Yalda Afsah's film "Jarramplas" is on view in Berlin. Afsah credits filmmaker James Benning with influencing her thoughts on community.
Thank you all 🍎 CALARTIAN NY 🍎 Hangout 🍎
A small group of us gathered for a lovely Sunday brunch hang.
Our most recent CalArts graduate shared the sad news that Naked Gamelan is no longer active on campus— a sad update we raised a glass to.
Feel free to write in with memories of your favorite naked recreational activities.
We apologize for those of you who weren’t able to join us (we messed up some outreach) – please accept this public apology as our commitment to being an honest grassroots effort. We are a small task force and 2025 has not been smooth sailing. We’ve improved our email efforts and hope we can gather you to the next!
