Southern Utah University's College of Performing & Visual Arts and the Southern Utah Museum of Art hosted a day-long celebration on June 26, 2026, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Beverley Center for the Arts. The event in Cedar City served as a multi-faceted commemoration of regional creativity, honoring also the 65th anniversary of the Utah Shakespeare Festival and the 40th anniversary of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games.
A Multi-Generational Celebration
The anniversary celebration, which was free and open to the public, featured a variety of community-focused activities including live music, artist demonstrations, curated gallery activities, and food trucks. The programming was designed to engage students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the broader community through several distinct scheduled events and exhibitions.
Exhibitions and Milestones
Central to the festivities were several art exhibitions showcased at the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), which opened its doors at 10:00 a.m. during the event. These exhibitions included 'Art from Abstract to Zion: Celebrating 10 Years of SUMA,' and 'The Play's the Thing: 65 Years of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.'
Additional exhibits featured 'Carrying the Flame Forward: 40 Years of the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games' and 'Artistic Visions: A Timeline of The Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts.' The Stillman Sculpture Court also served as a site for the commemorations.
Theatrical Performances and Orientations
The event schedule included specialized theatrical orientations and performances. At 1:15 p.m., the 'See How Run' play orientation took place at the Seminar Grove. Later in the evening, the Utah Shakespeare Festival presented a production of 'Hamlet' in the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre at 8:00 p.m., following a 'Hamlet' play orientation held at 6:45 p.m. in the Seminar Grove.
The festival also offered a production of 'See How They Run' in the Randall L. Jones Theatre as part of the day's programming.
Community Art Walk and Greenshow
The celebration concluded with the 'Greenshow: Stratford Night' at the Ashton Family Greenshow Commons at 7:10 p.m. Throughout the latter half of the day, the festivities continued with the annual Final Friday Art Walk along University Boulevard and Center Street, starting at 5:00 p.m., followed by a street party that remained active through 5:45 p.m.
College Administration and Leadership
The College of Performing & Visual Arts (CPVA) manages the operations of the Beverley Center, working in coordination with various departments and organizations. The Dean's office, located in Bristlecone Hall, suite 113, oversees the college's operations through collaboration with Department Chairs, Masters Program Directors, the Director of Shakespeare Studies, and the Director of Ballroom Dance.
Administrative leadership within the CPVA includes Dean Michael T. Schmidt and Associate Dean Keith Bradshaw. The office also coordinates with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) Director, the CPVA Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator, the CPVA Development Director, and representatives from the Utah Shakespeare Festival to manage the college's diverse academic and artistic functions.
Administrative Support and Student Services
The CPVA Dean's office provides administrative support through staff members including Unit Business Manager Alison Adams, Public Relations & Information Coordinator Kol Gibson, and Student Success Advisors Stephen Wagner and Kimberly Martinez. The college also maintains a Career Coach for the Performing and Visual Arts and Aviation departments, Laurel Buxton.
Student representation within the college is facilitated by the CPVA Student Senator, Taysia Luke.
