In conjunction with the exhibition Oletha DeVane: Spectrum of Light and Spirit, the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture presents a closing panel discussion, featuring the artist, the exhibition curator, and additional scholars:

Jessica Bell Brown, Curator and Department Head for Contemporary Art, Baltimore Museum of Art

Oletha DeVane, Artist, Oletha DeVane: Spectrum of Light and Spirit

Christopher Kozjar, Artist, Andrew Harris Post-Doctoral Fellow, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Vermont

Leslie King Hammond, Graduate Dean Emerita, Founder of Center for Race and Culture at the Maryland Institute College of Art, and former Senior Research Fellow, Robert Deutsch Foundation

Lowery Stokes Sims, Exhibition Curator, independent art historian and curator

More information:

https://umbc.edu/event/oletha-devane-spectrum-of-light-and-spirit-closing-panel-discussion/

Admission to the panel discussion and the exhibition is free.

UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and visitors. If you need accessibility-related accommodations for a planned visit or special event, two weeks' notice is appreciated. Contact: abbotts@umbc.edu or 410-455-3188.

Free parking for this event is available in nearby Lot 8.

Photo by Marlayna Demond '11 for UMBC.

Image: A large white pedestal supports three colorful sculptures in the foreground of a large art gallery. A video projection onto the back wall glows beyond a collection of vivid paintings hung on the white gallery walls. An empty wooden bench rests in the center of the blond hard wood flooring.

At the 2022 Homecoming alumnae volleyball scrimmage, Kasey Crider, who joined UMBC as head volleyball coach earlier this year, got a firsthand view of the connections the program has forged over the last 50 years—connections that he considers the foundation of the team’s success. “I exist in that ecosystem of this legacy, which hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m walking out of there going, ‘Man, this is why you do it. You have these incredible people.’”

The volleyball players over the years would tell you that common values and hard work unite a team that comes from all over the world. Robbin Lee ’13, visual arts, remembers the process of bonding with her teammates, even in some unexpected ways: “We spent the preseason meshing and melding our languages—like the way we talk and the slang we use,” she says.

“By the end of the season we all sounded like each other.” This only reflected the close bonds they’d forged. To hear Lee tell it, “our team was a group of sisters. We loved and annoyed each other a lot. But, at the end of the day, we held each other accountable and we pushed each other to be better off and on the court.”

Earlier alumnae recount a similar sisterhood. Elizabeth (Straley) Beckelman, ’90, psychology, played in the ’80s under the nickname “Biff” and met her lifelong best friend Melissa (Diehlmann) Little ’90, psychology, on the first day of tryouts.

“I was a walk-on,” Beckelman remembers. “I didn’t even know if I would make the team.” And yet she did, and now fondly remembers her coaches keeping her grades on track, getting “more competitive” as the program grew, and strenuous running drills. “It really grounded me and kept me focused and kept me on a track and on a path,” Beckelman says.

As the newest member of the team celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, Crider came in as coach with one question on his mind: “What’s best for the players?” It sounds like the program is well-equipped to answer him.

Dear Community,

As many of us are looking forward to returning home and gathering with family and friends, we are pleased to announce that UMBC is able to offer two more influenza and COVID-19 booster clinics next week. If you have not already received this season's flu shot or the new bivalent COVID booster, protect yourself, your families, and the community against these two illnesses by scheduling an appointment today. You may choose to receive either or both boosters. 

Clinic Dates and Locations

Please note that clinics will be held at the Harbor Hall Multipurpose Room. 

Monday, December 12, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Harbor Multipurpose Room

Thursday, December 15, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Harbor Multipurpose Room

Sign up for a time here.

Please remember to print and bring your consent form with you, along with your medical/pharmacy insurance cards.

Volunteer to Help!

As with all shot clinics, we are in need of volunteers to help with registration. Please sign up if you would like to help!  

Retriever Integrated Health is here to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us at 410-455-2542 for more information. 

Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy.

Vic Madrid

Medical Director, Retriever Integrated Health