Future Huskers learn about the arts

calendar icon26 Jul 2022    

Lincoln, Neb.--The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts offered two classes for students participating in the Nebraska Alumni Association’s Future Husker University on July 15.

Assistant Professor of Theatre Michelle Harvey taught the course “See the Light: Stage Lighting & Color,” and Assistant Professor of Practice in Graphic Design Jen Landis taught “Art of the Poster.”

Future Husker University is for children ages 7-13 who are accompanied by at least one adult. Participants experience the day in the life of today’s Huskers through classes, tours and visits to the dining hall. Attendees participate in two classes led by the university’s colleges and departments. The day ends with a graduation ceremony.

“Future Husker University is important to our university and our community as it brings back our alumni and also introduces young students to the idea of higher education,” Harvey said. “These students will share their experiences with others.”

In her class, Harvey helped students explore how reflected colored light affects the things we see day to day. Students enjoyed the art of designing the color, shape and intensity with those lights.

In one exercise, students attempted to sort M&Ms into their respective colors in different colors of light. In another exercise, students helped set different scenarios using different colors and intensity (such as Under the Ocean, a Desert or the wintry planet Hoth from “Star Wars.”

The popular Husker mascot Lil’ Red made an appearance so students could see how his appearance changed in different colors of light.

“Lighting and Color was so much fun,” Harvey said. “An early visit from Lil’ Red set up the tone and brought huge smiles to the students and their guardians. The students explored how the color of light affects the color of any given object, then we experimented how light, and particularly the color of light, can tell a story. I hope the students walked away with the understanding that light affects our everyday and guides our stories.”

This was her second time teaching for Future Husker University.

“As an alumna of UNL, I love sharing my part of campus with other folks, especially the younger generation,” she said. “I also share this day with my son. He enjoys being part of the teaching side of the class, and I am thankful to show him a glimpse of how I spend my days.”

Landis taught at Future Husker University for the first time.

“I was excited to participate in Future Husker University because I enjoy teaching youth, and I thought it would be fun to offer a youth art class in Richards Hall,” she said.

In her class, students learned how to combine their voice, personal art and mixed media to create a meaningful graphic design poster. Students learned about balance, proximity, repetition and symmetry that goes into graphic design.

“The classes were full of so many creative kids,” Landis said. “I was super impressed by how all their posters turned out, especially Oliver’s Bacon Circus poster.”

Landis’ son also participated in Future Husker University, and Landis said he enjoyed being on campus, eating at the Cather Dining Center and exploring the bookstore.

“Future Husker University is important to introduce the young kids to how it’ll feel to attend college in the future,” she said. “It was a great event. It was well staffed, and I met some great new colleagues. Super fun!”

Harvey encourages other faculty to participate in teaching classes for Future Husker University.

“It’s a great connector to our alumni and a feel-good class with ample enthusiasm from the students,” she said.

To learn more about the annual Future Husker University, visit the Nebraska Alumni Association’s website at https://huskeralum.org/FHU.

To see more photos from the day, visit our Facebook page at https://go.unl.edu/fhu2022.