Adrian Matejka's poetry collections are Mixology,Somebody Else Sold the World, Map to the Stars and The Big Smoke. He became editor of Poetry magazine in 2022.  Matejka will discuss what it means to be the first African American editor of Poetry, the top poetry journal in the USA. His reading and his remarks are likely to plumb themes of deep concern in today's USA. For instance, his Anisfield-Wolf Book Award winning The Big Smoke, which also won a Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award in poetry, explores life and meaning stereotype-shattering Black heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, of whom W.E.B. DuBois once said, the "reason Jack Johnson was so beset by his own country, a country ironically which had only recently reaffirmed that all men are created equal, was because of his Unforgivable Blackness ". Of his book Map of Stars, PBS observed, "Map of Stars unpacks human systems like race, poverty and parenting. But it also explores larger ones—like the system of gravity and momentum." Matejka will take questions after his presentation.

Whether it is Flemish still life that highlights the glory of nature, a botanical illustration that chronicles the ideal version of a plant, or a close up view of flowers as graphic abstractions, their intricate shapes, vibrant colors, and delicate qualities make flowers ideal subjects for artists. See works by Beth Van Hoesen, Richard Stout, A.D. Greer, and Grace Kelly, plus many more.

She made a name for herself as a professional artist at a time when the art world was marginalizing women. She was one of the few female faculty members at the Art Institute of Chicago prior to World War II, becoming an innovative teacher known for mentoring her students. During her over 30-year teaching career she influenced generations of art history students, embracing modernism, introducing them to African art, and instilling her constant drive to explore new things into her students. Join us for a Gallery Talk & Reception on Nov. 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Stark Galleries with guest speaker Victoria Hennessey Cummins, Ph.D.   This exhibition represents the eighth installation in the Texas Art Project (https://uart.tamu.edu/texasartproject/) series.

The concept of pattern in the arts provides artists with tools that can limit creativity or suggest new avenues for exploration. They can offer a maker innovative options to explore with their accustomed materials and techniques; at times present a designer a means of control; advance a range of new ornaments and motifs to work with; and impart a new understanding of the relation between functional and decorative form. This exhibition will look at the impact of pattern in the arts using the University Art Galleries collections. 

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Optional Retirement Program (ORP) Presentation:Envision and Plan for your Best Retirement During Uncertain Economic Conditions: 8am-9:15am As you envision your retirement, it is important to consider all of your options to build your best strategy based on your personal goals. Discover the potential financial risks faced during this phase and various ways of generating income when it's time to retire to help make your retirement income last. Keeping your money working for you in uncertain economic times can be downright stressful – but don't panic. This isn't as unusual as you may think. Learn why you should consider staying put, how to deal with stress that can be associated with dealing with the market, what you can do to stay focused. And lastly, where to go from here. ORP Participants Register Here!https://forms.office.com/r/XikBQAp9Kx?origin=lprLink (https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2FXikBQAp9Kx%3Forigin%3DlprLink&data=05%7C02%7Cstacey%40tamu.edu%7C537fb861e8dd4556a55608dccdb31bf4%7C68f381e346da47b9ba576f322b8f0da1%7C1%7C0%7C638611416397359024%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qAspgyjAkEP9LtzZYiT5QFUAiP2bBiW%2BlqAeR6qc10w%3D&reserved=0) Registration ends Friday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m.  Registration FULL: Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Presentation:Ready to Retire: 9:30am-11:15am This presentation provides a general review of TRS Benefits primarily focused on retirement information - eligibility, tiers, calculation of benefits, retirement plans, death benefits, and employment after retirement.