College of Arts + Architecture

Tom Burch, associate professor of scenic design, recently returned from six weeks in Italy, where he designed two opera productions for La Musica Lirica, an intensive opera training program for young professional singers. Premiering first in the town of Novafeltria, each production traveled to additional locations in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

A house designed, built and owned by Marc Manack, associate professor of architecture, with his firm SILO AR+D, was awarded the 2023 George Matsumoto Prize from NCModernist, a nonprofit organization and educational archive established for the documentation, promotion and preservation of residential modernist architecture in the state.

Kim Jones, associate professor of dance, has received a research fellowship from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts’ Jerome Robbins Dance Division. Jones was one of six fellows chosen for this prestigious grant, which this year focuses on modern dance pioneer Martha Graham and her company as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. 

The lobby of Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts on the UNC Charlotte main campus is the location for the annual piano sale Aug. 3-5. The Department of Music has the use of new first-class pianos on a no-cost basis each school year. This arrangement is provided through an association with the Rockley Family Foundation. These instruments, those provided to other institutions and those made available by various manufacturers will be sold to perpetuate this valuable program.

David Janowiak is the new chair of the Department of Theatre, effective July 1. He comes to UNC Charlotte from Western Oregon University, where he has spent the past seven years as professor and chair of the Creative Arts Division, following 17 years leading the WOU Theatre Department.

Professor of Architecture and Urban Design José Gámez was named interim dean of the College of Arts + Architecture. His appointment begins July 1, following the departure of Dean Brook Muller.

Professor of Architectural History Lee Gray joined CBS Sunday Morning News May 21 for a feature story on elevators. An international expert on elevators and escalators, Gray was interviewed at the Biltmore House in Asheville, where the 19th-century elevator still has a staff operator. He explained how elevators changed the world. Watch the segment, “Elevators: Living the High Life,” here.

Lidia Klein, assistant professor of architectural history, had had her book, “Political Postmodernisms: Architecture in Chile and Poland, 1970–1990,” published by Routledge. The work argues for a redefinition of postmodern architecture.

Professor of Digital Media Heather Freeman was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to produce the podcast, “Magic in the United States: 400 Years of Magical Beliefs, Practices and Cultural Conflicts.”

Assistant Professor of Architecture Liz McCormick and co-investigator Brett Tempest, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, have received a grant from the National Science Foundation to engage students in McCormick’s continued research into climate-resilient architecture in tropical regions.