Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series
Since 2001, the Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series has presented guest artists respected in the field of theatre, dance, visual arts, music and architecture including such noted artists as Tony award-winners Stephen Schwartz, the composer of "Wicked," "Into the Woods" and more; "Next to Normal" actress Alice Ripley; the Grammy-winning Emerson String Quartet; postmodern minimalist artist Richard Tuttle; artists and fashion designers Ruben and Isabel Toledo; the internationally acclaimed dance company, Ballet Florida; and actor, dancer and arts advocate Ben Vereen and the Limon Dance Group, just to name a few.
The Schroth series was established by Cecile Draime and her late husband, Max, of Warren, Ohio, to honor their dear friend Thomas Schroth (1922-1997). A noted regional architect, Schroth designed the Butler Institute of Art’s Trumbull museum in Howland, as well as numerous other award-winning projects. Thomas Schroth spent his life in Niles, Ohio, as a prominent architect and inveterate collaborator in the artistic life of the Mahoning Valley and Northeast Ohio. A world traveler, he saw human creativity as a window framing human experience. The Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series brings diverse views through that window to the Kent campus and community.
The events are always free and open to the public.
Spring 2024 Schroth Series
The College of the Arts is proud to continue the acclaimed Thomas Schroth Visiting Artist Series this year with presentations and workshops dedicated to the College's commitment to celebrating diversity within the Arts.
Olafur Eliasson
Icelandic–Danish artist
Eliasson will be hosting a five-day workshop with graduate and undergraduate students in early Spring 2024. Faculty Hosts include Iván Bernal (Architecture), Eli Kessler (Sculpture and Expanded Media), Mark Schatz (Studio Art) and Jon Yoder (Architecture).
Date: TBA
Thijs Verhaar and Lyske Gais
Knitwear Designer, Founder of Knitwear Label and Artist, Designer
Verhaar and Gais will be keynote speakers and host a workshop during the Knitting Symposium in March 2024. The faculty host for this event is Krissi Riewe Stevenson (Fashion).
Date: TBA
Pauline St. Denis
New York-based photographer
St. Denis will be hosting a three-day workshop from Wednesday, April 24 through Friday, April 26 during Fashion Week 2024. The faculty host for this workshop is Hillary Stone (Fashion).
Date: April 24-26