Western Washington University’s Dance Program will feature a new work choreographed by special guest KT Niehoff, artistic director of “Lingo,” during their annual Summer Dance Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, July 29 and 30, at …Ving!, located at 311 E. Holly St. in Bellingham.

The performance is open to the public, and tickets will be available for $5 at the door.

The Western Washington University Department of Theatre Arts presents Noel Coward’s “Private Lives” at 7:30 p.m. through Saturday, July 31, and Aug. 4 to 7 in the Old Main Theater on Western’s campus.

The WWU Department of Theatre Arts will present “High School Musical,” directed by WWU Theatre Arts Chair Deborah Currier, this July and August in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Underground Theater.

The musical sensation from Disney Studios that started it all, “High School Musical” follows two high school juniors from rival cliques. The story has been considered a modern adaption of the classic love story, “Romeo and Juliet,” and is a great family production with plenty of singing and dancing for everyone to enjoy.

With the help of a visiting professor, Western Washington University Fine Art students are now exhibiting a collection of their work at a gallery in Italy.

Western Washington University’s Design Program will host its annual portfolio exhibit, featuring guest speaker Eric Karjaluoto, from noon to 4 p.m., Friday, June 11 at the Science Math and Technology Education building foyer on WWU’s campus.

Several of the senior designers played host to a design show June 10 at Tether in Seattle.

This event is free and open to the public.

Three photography classes at Western Washington University have joined forces to create the "Questioning the Archives" photo exhibit, which is on display in the windows of Wilson Library through Monday, June 7. An additional component to the project is on display on the second floor of the Fine Arts Building.

Western Washington University will host Seattle-based artist Claire Cowie from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 26, in WWU’s Old Main Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.

Cowie will speak about her painted and drawn work, including the series "Pilgrimage, Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth, 12 Views, Homunculus, and About Strange Lands." Her lecture will focus on her most recent bodies of work that address her conflicted sense or morality.

[ Editor's note: The article has been amended to reflect the fact that First Nations artist Robert Davidson will not be able to attend, and his lecture has been cancelled. ]

Lummi Nation carver Felix Solomon will give a public presentation on carving and wood working traditions from 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. on Friday, May 21 in room 238 of the Fine Arts Building on Western Washington University’s campus.

The WWU Department of Theatre Arts will present "The Miracle Worker," directed by WWU Theatre instructor Patrick Dizney, from May 19 to 23 in the Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater. The play also ran from May 13 to 16.

"The story of 'The Miracle Worker' is one of the most inspiring of our times, relating the triumph of Helen Keller over seemingly insurmountable obstacles," Dizney said.

Cara Jaye and Seiko Purdue, both faculty members in the Western Washington University Department of Art, are in the midst of creating a large-scale wall sculpture in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Viking Union on the WWU campus.

As part of the project, they need people's goals, aspirations and future dreams to become a permanent part of the work. How do you want to make a difference in the future? What would you like to accomplish? Jaye and Purdue are looking for immediate goals, long-term goals, 1-year, 2-year, 5-year or life goals.

Vaughn Bell, a Seattle artist with a playful approach to serious environmental issues, will speak about her work in a public lecture from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, in SMATE Room 150 on the Western Washington University campus.

Students from the Asia University America Program at Western Washington University are holding their Japan Night from 7 to 9 p.m. today, May 6, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room on campus.

On tap for the evening are interactive cultural demonstrations and food sampling, and the event is free and open to anyone who would like to attend.

Visitors can participate in an interactive Japanese fashion display, learn a Japanese traditional dance, make origami, write their names using Japanese caligraphy or play Japanese card games.

The spring 2010 edition of "Connected: News from the Western Libraries" has been published and is now available online.

Among the stories in this issue are items about the move of Special Collections to the library's sixth floor, art in the library, construction and the newest library employee.

A PDF of the newsletter is available online here.

Western Washington University will partner with The RE Store to present the 5th Annual Trash Fashion Show at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 30, in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room.

The runway show features fashions and accessories crafted from the contents of trash cans and dumpsters. The evening will showcase 30 designs – 20 of which are done by WWU students – that stretch the imagination regarding what is wearable.