Arts & Culture

Photos are by Quinn Mackay, first-year Ph.D. student in CEOAS who uses computational techniques to study the past climate utilizing ice cores from Antarctica.

On Friday, students and employees within the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences are putting on an art show to display all the ways they practice creativity outside of the classroom and laboratory.

The Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Performing Arts announced its 2025-26 season on April 30, with an increased slate of events and exhibitions to keep its many venues booked and busy.  

Standout events include the new artist-in-residence, percussionist and steel pan musician Andy Akiho, along with several performances and lectures exploring the new season’s theme of “Arts + AI.”

The 70th annual Hō‘ike and Lūʻau will take place April 26 at The LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University campus, The lu’au, or meal portion of the event, starts at 3:30 p.m., and the hō‘ike, or performance portion, begins at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “E Malama Mau, E Pulama Nei" (Keep the traditions, cherish with pride).

This year’s event will celebrate the life and legacy of the last king of Hawai’i, David Kalakaua. Additionally, organizers are including hula instruments to enhance the audience's experience and learning.

Lei Xue is an associate professor of art history in the School of Visual, Performing and Design Arts within the College of Liberal Arts, where he teaches about Chinese and Japanese art. In September 2024, he joined a research trip in China to document centuries-old inscriptions carved into the mountainside.

Where were you?

We were in a mountainous area of Shandong Province in China, a coastal province just across from the Korean peninsula.

Promotional image from Moana 2 ©Disney. Moana is holding a piece of pottery modeled after Lapita pottery from ancient Oceania.

“Moana 2,” Disney’s latest animated blockbuster that smashed Thanksgiving box office records, tells the story of a young Pacific Islander girl empowered to sail the seas and lead her people in exploring far-off islands, accompanied by the demigod Maui and her trusty sidekicks, Heihei the rooster and Pua the pig. 

10 Questions With… Olin Hannum, associate director of bands at Oregon State University.

What is the piece of music or composer that first really captivated you as a kid?

I can't really remember one thing sticking out from when I was a kid, but when I was in high school I was obsessed with West Coast punk. Bands like The Offspring, No Use For A Name, Green Day, Lagwagon, etc. dominated my listening time.

What makes you passionate about higher education?

Nikki Giovanni, a poet, author, educator and public speaker, has died. She was 81. In April 2002, Giovanni came to OSU to give the Difference, Power and Discrimination Program Distinguished Lecture. Here is a recording of that event: