NOVEMBER 17, 2021 — As the world isolated amid COVID-19, a group of UTSA faculty members launched a project to create connections that would have typically happened in-person on campus. The resulting program, called Defining Moments, captures how students experienced 2020 through their respective studies in art, history, English, music, dance and architecture.
Now the UTSA and broader San Antonio community are invited to attend the live debut performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 19, in the Buena Vista Theater located at the Downtown Campus. The event is co-sponsored by the College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA) and Academic Innovation. It is free and open to the public.
“Defining Moments showcases UTSA’s commitment to ensuring students have a high-quality education that allows them to create transformative connections,” said Jodi Peterson, assistant professor of instruction in history and a Defining Moments faculty leader. “And by inviting them to capture their unique perspectives about 2020, it helps remind them of the bold futures they’re building even during trying times.”
“By inviting them to capture their unique perspectives about 2020, it helps remind them of the bold futures they’re building even during trying times.”
The Defining Moments project and performance is an example of how UTSA emphasizes experiential learning and classroom-to-career educational opportunities.
Students worked with faculty in history, English, art, music, dance, and architecture to turn their reflections into creative and expressive works. In this cross-disciplinary process, Academic Innovation and the UTSA Libraries supported the project by helping students and faculty find ways to collaborate in a virtual environment to document and share the work.
“The Defining Moments project and performance vividly portray the ways in which the liberal and fine arts come together and crystallize to respond to our most pressing global and local challenges,” said COLFA Dean Glenn Martinez. “I encourage the members of our community to come and see this powerful performance and to experience the depth and breadth of all that COLFA has to offer.”
As part of UTSA’s commitment to social impact, UTSA is partnering with UT Health San Antonio to offer on-site COVID vaccination at the event to attendees who are interested.
Reservations are recommended to attend the event. A live stream will also be available on the Defining Moments website. UTSA students can access a shuttle from the Main Campus to the Downtown Campus and may be eligible for academic credit for attending.
