Join Us in October


You're invited to a month of exciting events.

All month long, we’re thrilled to bring the CWU campus and the community a lineup of exciting performances, panels, art exhibitions, guest speakers, and more. 

The largest of CWU’s colleges, the College of Arts and Humanities is home to a wide range of departments offering more than 80 diverse programs. 

Join us in exploring how a degree in the Arts or Humanities could prepare you for a successful career, as well as lifelong satisfaction and opportunities for growth. 

Learn more about National Arts and Humanities Month. 

Complete Event Schedule


A day-by-day breakdown of every event; open to campus and the community!
  • Week 1 (October 1-4): Opening Doors

    October 1: Art and Design Faculty Exhibition and Panel Presentation, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM, Randall Hall 117 and Sarah Spurgeon Gallery 

    • Join Art + Design faculty as they showcase their work, and talk with a panel of CWU artists, Howard Barlow, Elizabeth Ransom, and Yongqi Tang, as they share their creative processes.

    October 2: NAC Grand Opening, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, NAC Atrium 

    • Come for the Grand Opening of Central's newest building. Tours and demonstrations will be offered.

    October 2: First Friday Art Walk, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Downtown 

    • Don't miss the First Friday Artwalk in downtown Ellensburg as CWU alumni and students present their work at the Clymer Museum, and Historic Ellensburg Lodge 20 features the work of a local artist.

    October 3: Student Film Showcase, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, McConnell Auditorium

    • Check out films created by students in the Department of Theatre & Film.  

    October 4: The Write Way:Writers Workshop with Sarita Dasgupta, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Wildhourse Wind Farm Visitor Center, 25905 Vantage Hwy

    • Participate in a dynamic writing workshop with other local writers. Led by Sarita Dasgupta, Ellensburg Poet Laureate and author of 'Seeds of Fate'
  • Week 2 (October 5-11): Stories of Place

    October 5: Keynote Address with Derek Sheffield, WA Poet Laureate, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Hertz Concert Hall 

    October 6: Dishes of the World: Their Traditions, Histories and Meanings, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, NAC 355 

    October 6: Lion Rock Visiting Writer Maya Jewell Zeller, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (Library Attic), 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (NAC Atrium) 

    October 7: Lion Rock Visiting Writer Maya Jewell Zeller, Zoom Only Craft Talk about Publishing 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM  

    October 7: Campus Art Tour, 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM, tour begins at SURC Info Desk 

    October 8: Fairytales, Legends, Heroes, and Colloquialisms: Folklore as History, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, NAC 102 

    October 9: Ask a Philosopher, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, NAC Atrium

  • Week 3 (October 12-18): Ideas in Action
    October 12: Breaking the German Code During WWII: Make Your Own Enigma Machine, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, NAC 154B 

    October 12: Student Media Panel, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, SURC 135 

    October 13: Manastash Literary Magazine Launch Celebration, 5:30 PM, Black 150 

    October 13: Convergence of Chromacity: Duo Velox Recital with Guest Kaitlyn Neufeld and CWU Faculty Aaron Burr, 7:00 PM, McIntyre Recital Hall 

    October 14: World Languages & Cultures Open House, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, NAC Atrium 

    October 14: How Music’s Hidden Layers Guide Our Emotions with Daniel Anastasio, Guest Pianist Recital, 6:00 PM, McIntyre Recital Hall 

    October 15: What is Mandala? 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM, NAC Atrium 

    October 15: Student Experiences Abroad, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, NAC 355

  • Week 4 (October 19-25): Where Ideas Lead

    October 19: The Dream of a Common Language: How Do We Talk About Sustainability in Arts and Humanities, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, NAC 454 

    October 20: You Can Do Anything: The Possibilities of an Arts or Humanities Degree Majors & Minors Fair, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, NAC Atrium 

    October 21: The Promise and Ethical Pitfalls of New Medical Technologies: Carebots, Genetic Engineering, and AI, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, NAC 206 

    October 22: Becoming a Global Professional: Studying, Working, and Building a Life Across Cultures, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, NAC 154B 

    October 23: Teaching History in the Highschool, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, NAC 154A 

    October 24: Marvel Heroes: From A to X, Central Cello Celebration Finale Concert, 6:00 PM, McIntyre Hertz Concert Hall 

    October 24: 1441 Minute Theatre Festival, 7:30 PM, McConnell Auditorium  

    October 25: Viola Day Recital, 6:00 PM McIntyre Hertz Concert Hall

  • Week 5 (October 26-31): The Grand Finale

    October 26: Orchestra Halloween Concert, 7:00 PM, McIntyre Hertz Concert Hall (ticketed)

    October 27: Lion Rock Visiting Writer, Carlos Andres Gomez: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (Library Attic), 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (NAC Atrium) 

    October 28: Open House and Asian American and Pacific Islander Welcome Gathering, 12:00 PM, Moehring Event Center 

    October 28: John McMurtery Guest Flute Artist, 8:00 PM, McIntyre Recital Hall 

    October 30: Zombie Babies, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Randall Hall, Awards at 5:00 PM 

    October 30: Night of Ghost Stories, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, start at NAC Atrium 

Can't Miss Events

headshot of derek sheffield

October 5

Keynote Address - Derek Sheffield, WA Poet Laureate

Learn More

students at academic fair

October 20

You Can Do Anything: The Possibilities of an Arts or Humanities Degree - Majors and Minors Fair - open to the public – future Wildcats encouraged to attend. Scavenger hunt, raffle & prizes!

building exterior with creepy shadows

October 30

Night of Ghost Stories - Share the spirit of the season. Collect stickers in your Ghost Stories Passport to win a special prize! Suitable for all ages.

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