Denison University, in partnership with Art21 Inc. as part of its Art21 Access ’09 initiative, will present two sneak previews of the fifth PBS season of “Art:21—Art in the Twenty-First Century,” the only prime-time national television series focused exclusively on contemporary art. “Compassion” will be screened at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Bryant Arts Center (210 West College Street). This event are free and open to the public.

The screenings will be in conjunction with month-long opening celebrations of the Denison University Department of Art’s new $14 million, 45,000 square-foot facility. The Bryant Arts Center is a transformation of a 105-year-old gymnasium by New York City architectural firm Beyer Blinder Belle. Denison faculty members will introduce the episodes and follow up with a discussion. Later in the semester art students will exhibit work inspired by the episodes.

The “Compassion” screening, on Wednesday, Oct. 21, features artists whose works explore the possibility of understanding and reconciling past and present, while exposing injustice and expressing tolerance for others. William Kentridge, Carrie Mae Weems and Doris Salcedo are featured.

Art21 Access ’09 is an international screening initiative created to increase knowledge of contemporary art, ignite dialogue and inspire creative thinking through events that are tailored to the interests and concerns of local audiences. The season premieres on PBS on Oct. 7 with a new episode each Wednesday during the month at 10 p.m. (check local listings). Through in-depth profiles and interviews, the four-part series reveals the inspiration, vision and techniques behind the creative works of some of today’s most thought-provoking artists.

“Art21 Access ’09 draws the Art:21 television-viewing audience together in communities around the world and provides a wonderfully enhanced Art:21 experience,” said Susan Sollins, executive producer of Art:21. “We hope that audiences will take full advantage of the events in their area and develop an understanding of the complex skills, techniques and knowledge that artists bring to their work. Our goal is that these events contribute to boosting the confidence of audiences worldwide to view and appreciate all art forms.”

Art21 Access ’09 events are presented in partnership with Americans for the Arts as part of National Arts and Humanities Month, the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the nation, held every October. An updated list of Art21 Access ’09 events and venues worldwide can be found at www.art21.org/access09.

Art21 Access ’09 events are being hosted by museums, schools, libraries, art spaces, community centers, and universities. Each event features an exclusive advance screening of one or two episodes from season five of the documentary, as well as an educational component, such as talks by local, regional, and national artists, lectures, panel discussions, interactive art-making projects and question-and-answer sessions.

Over the past ten years, Art21 has established itself as the preeminent chronicler of contemporary art and artists through its Peabody Award-winning biennial television series Art:21—Art in the Twenty-First Century. The organization has used the power of digital media to expose millions of people of all ages to contemporary art and artists and has created a new paradigm for teaching and learning about the creative process.

In addition to its PBS series and year-round series-based education and public programs efforts, Art21 has expanded its film production and educational efforts in recent years. Several new initiatives have been launched in the past year, including the premiere of the new short-format documentary series Art21–Exclusive on multiple online platforms and expansion of the Art21 Blog. New programs are also in the works, including a feature film as well as Art21 Educators, an ongoing professional development program for teachers.

For more information:

www.pbs.org/art21/

www.art21.org

Facebook: facebook.com/art21

Twitter: twitter.com/art21

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville—Preview Screening of PBS’s ART 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century, “Transformation” episode at 7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 14, in the fourth floor painting studio of the Bryant Arts Center (210 West College Street). For more information, contact 740-587-6596 or visit www.denison.edu.

CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville—Preview Screening of PBS’s ART 21: Art in the Twenty-First Century, “Compassion” episode at 7 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 21, in the fourth floor painting studio of the Bryant Arts Center (210 West College Street). For more information, contact 740-587-6596 or visit www.denison.edu.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575