Around the State: UMHB opens Arctic art exhibit

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announces the opening of “Off the Map,” an art exhibit that begins with a public reception Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. The reception and exhibit will be in the Baugh Center for the Visual Arts art gallery on the UMHB campus. UMHB Art Department Chair Stephanie Chambers left behind civilization this past October for a transformative voyage to one of the Arctic Circle’s most untouched corners. Her mission was to convey what she saw and experienced through painting. “Words can never convey the impact of witnessing such a remote location of the world. The act of painting on-site encapsulates for me the entirety of my presence in that space,” Chambers said. “Beyond the visual cues, sounds, temperature and emotions, both fear and awe are all translated through mark, color and shapes on the canvas.” The exhibit will stay up until February 27.

The Hardin-Simmons University School of Music announced its spring calendar of events. The Cowboy Band will be the opening act for the Sons of the Pioneers at the Paramount Theater on Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. The Cowboy Band also will perform at men’s and women’s basketball games at Mabee Complex on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., provide the Golden Lariat performance at Cowboy Band Hall on April 7 at 5 p.m. and perform for Western Heritage Day by the reflection pond on April 24. The HSU Concert Band will be in concert with McMurry University at the Paramount Theater on March 24 at 7:30 p.m. The band also will participate in a hymn sing performance at Logsdon Chapel on April 8 at 2 p.m. and at their spring concert with the Cowboy Band at Van Ellis Theater on April 29 at 7:30 p.m. The HSU Jazz Ensemble will have a spring concert at Van Ellis Theater at 7:30 p.m. on April 24.

The Center for Rural and Small School Music Education at Howard Payne University, in cooperation with Tarpley Music of San Angelo, sponsored a University Interscholastic League pre-contest listening session for area school band directors on Jan. 19. The panel of respondent-clinicians included James Bode, Barry Hunt and Jonathan Kraemer, assistant professor of music and director of bands at HPU. Directors provided recorded rehearsals of their ensembles and received verbal and written comments to improve the performance of the students. Richard Fiese, professor of music education and the director of the center, noted this session is one service the center provides for area music educators and an example of how HPU supports quality music education for all students, including those in rural and small schools. Directors from Rotan, Jayton, Seymour, Comanche, Hamlin, Coleman, Early and Goldthwaite applied to participate in the listening session.

Stark College and Seminary will host the Self Bible Symposium on March 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Corpus Christi campus. The theme is “Being and Becoming God’s People.” Carmen Joy Imes will be the speaker. Renowned for her books and YouTube series, Imes inspires learners to explore the Old Testament and its significance to Christian identity and mission. The cost is $15, and lunch is included. Register here.

Wayland Baptist University announces the 2024 alumni award recipients, honoring individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Recipients will be honored at the annual Blue and Gold Banquet during Homecoming 2025, which takes place Feb. 5-8 on Wayland’s Plainview campus. The honorees include:Distinguished Alumni Award, Lee Baggett; Distinguished Alumni Award, John Blevins; Young Alumnus Award, Jovanna Duffy; Benefactor of the Year, Jolene Gary; and Lifetime Service Award, Danny Murphree.

San Antonio Baptist Association will host North America Arabic Pastors Network for a pastors’ conference in its San Antonio offices, Feb. 18-22. To sponsor an individual pastor’s conference costs or for flights, hotel, transportation, meals and educational tools, click here or email Raid al Safadi at Raid@NAAPN.net for more information. Watch his short video about the Arabic Pastors Network here.

Paul Armes, president emeritus of Wayland Baptist University, will be the featured speaker for the 72nd annual Willson Lectures, Feb. 25-26. The event includes a dinner Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the McClung University Center, UC 211, on the Plainview Campus. Reservations are required. Seating is limited. Call 806-291-3427 to RSVP by Feb. 7. The following morning, Armes will lecture on “Some Implications of Imago Dei” during chapel in the Harral Memorial Auditorium. Chapel is at 11 a.m. and is free and open to the public.

Anniversaries

Anderson Baptist Church in Anderson celebrated 180 years Jan. 16. Early in 1844, a small group of Baptists began meeting in a log schoolhouse four miles northwest of Anderson. Seven members of the group organized the Antioch Baptist Church on Nov. 11, 1844, which was renamed Anderson Baptist Church in 1852, when it relocated into town. In 1848, messengers from 34 of the 73 Baptist churches in the state assembled at the church for the first Texas State Baptist Convention. The organization later became the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Kyle Childress is pastor.