Murray State invites the community to A Taste of the Arts
By Kala Allen-Dunn | Sep 22, 2022
MURRAY, Ky. — The College of Humanities and Fine Arts at Murray State University invites the public to attend the thirteenth annual A Taste of the Arts fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting scholarships for fine arts students. The event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the newly renovated Lovett Auditorium located on Murray State’s campus. The event is sponsored by FNB Bank and will showcase the many talents of students majoring in art & design, music and theatre arts. Attendees will get to experience fine dining and a live auction event.
“This annual event means so much to our students in the areas of art & design, music and theatre arts,” said David Balthrop, Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. “Not only is A Taste of the Arts the primary opportunity for us to raise funds for student scholarships in the fine arts, but it is also a chance for those same students to perform during the event and talk with attendees about their experiences at Murray State University. Our students are greatly looking forward to the opportunity to show their work to others and to provide an exceptional experience for our gathered guests. This will be a fun and exciting evening for all involved!”
Additionally, the College of Humanities and Fine Arts annually awards the Outstanding Alumni in the Fine Arts during the event, and this year’s recipient is Mr. Jamey Jennings, ’95.
“I am really proud of our Murray State theatre alumni,” said Dr. Brent Menchinger, Chair of the Department of Global Languages and Theatre Arts. “We have a broad range of talent working in extraordinary positions all over the country. We have alumni working as actors on major productions in television and film, as voiceover actors, as Stage Managers for touring productions of Wicked and Hamilton, and as makeup and hair at the Guthrie Theatre. This year’s Outstanding Alumni in the Fine Arts recipient, Jamey Jennings, has worked in several positions that oversee major touring productions in the United States as an associate technical director, company manager and general manager. He is doing important work and we are very proud to have him as a Murray State alumnus.”
Jennings, a Bachelor of Arts graduate of the Murray State theatre program, currently holds the title of associate technical director for Multi Image Group. He has worked consistently in the field since he graduated, serving as company manager for well-known shows including Oklahoma!, Les Miserables: The 25th Anniversary Production and Mary Poppins, as well as many others.
In addition to the usual events, this year the College of Humanities and Fine Arts will honor an outstanding individual whose work greatly influenced the status of the arts in this region and throughout the nation, and in memory of whom a new scholarship has been established to continue that work. The college will remember the life of Dr. Joe Prince, former Dean of Arts and Communications at Murray State University (1969-1979) and Director of Education at the National Endowment for the Arts. Prince held two bachelor’s degrees from Murray State University, one in music education (’59) and one in vocal music (’60). He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Murray State University Alumni Association in 1985. Prince dedicated much of his professional life to ensuring that the arts and music became an important part of the lives of young people, and the memorial scholarship established by his family will continue to support students in the fine arts.
All proceeds benefit the Taste of the Arts scholarship fund, which directly supports students in the fine arts in their pursuit of a quality arts education. Individual tickets are $75 and full tables of eight are $550. To sponsor a table, request more information or to secure an individual RSVP please visit murraystate.edu/homecoming or contact Karen Lencki by Oct. 17 at 270-809-3023. For those who cannot attend that would like to make a direct contribution please contact Kala Allen-Dunn at (270) 809-3940 or by email at kallendunn@murraystate.edu.