Author: Liam Otten

Uncertain times can challenge things we take for granted but also can create productive instabilities, opening the door to new ideas and new visions of the future. In this spirit, the Kemper Art Museum’s 2025 exhibition lineup will question canonical narratives, interrogate colonial imaginaries and reexamine complex historical entanglements.

How do we reason? When do we apply value judgments? Over the last year, WashU’s Civil Society Initiative has sponsored a range of classes, guest speakers and public events exploring the nature of responsible democratic citizenship.

Mary Jo Bang, a professor of English in Arts & Sciences, will receive the 2024 Tradition of Literary Excellence Award from the University City Municipal Commission on Arts & Letters.

Hylarie McMahon, a professor emerita of art in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, died in hospice Oct. 1 following a short illness. She was 94.

This fall, WashU will launch The Engaged City. Building on the long-running Divided City initiative, and funded in part by a $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation, The Engaged City aims to highlight St. Louis’ cultural resources.

A remembrance of poet and WashU English professor Howard Nemerov has been named to the Notable Essays list in “Best American Essays 2024.” The piece, by Nemerov’s son Alexander, was first published by The Common Reader, the journal of essays and ideas housed at WashU.

The James Baldwin Review, co-founded by WashU’s Justin A. Joyce and Dwight A. McBride, celebrates its 10th anniversary, as well as Baldwin’s centenary. A feature essay by WashU’s William Maxwell explores an unexpected connection between Baldwin and Susan Sontag.

Douglas Flowe, an associate professor of history in Arts & Sciences, is featured in “San Juan Hill: Manhattan’s Lost Neighborhood,” which will premiere Oct. 9 at the New York Film Festival. Flowe also was recently featured in episodes of the History Channel series “Prison Chronicles.”

In October, the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences will present recitals featuring three internationally known pianists: Ingrid Jacoby (Oct. 13), Juho Pohjonen (Oct. 20) and Polina Osetinskaya (Oct. 28). Pohjonen’s performance also will feature cellist Zlatomir Fung and violinist Erin Schrieber in the St. Louis debut of “Other Pines,” a recent work by WashU composer Christopher Stark.

The “Design Agendas” public symposium, presented by WashU’s Kemper Art Museum and Sam Fox School, will explore the past, present and future of St. Louis urban design Oct. 25 and 26.