SmithArts at Inauguration
On October 21, 2023, Sarah Willie-LeBreton formally took office as Smith’s 12th president. As part of her inauguration weekend, the new Smith Office for the Arts (SOFA) connected and catalyzed a series of events with creativity and the arts at the core to celebrate the new President. We welcomed her to campus through performances, exhibitions, film screenings, a poetry reading, artist talks, pop-up art making activities and a special student performance showcase.
We were thrilled to share some of the amazing artistic work happening on campus on this special day, and look forward to many more opportunities to highlight the incredible impact that the arts have at Smith College. Thank you to all of our students, staff and faculty involved in facilitating these inspired events.
Here are a selection of photos from some of the arts events that happened as part of Inauguration, as well as a short highlight reel from our special student performance showcase, organized by SOFA, which featured over 100 student performers on one stage.
With joy,
Leigh Fagin
Inaugural Jean and David W. Wallace Foundation Director of the Smith Office for the Arts
A SmithArts Welcome
Inauguration Weekend brought with it performances, exhibitions, readings, and more, all wrapped up in a feeling of joy. Check out some arts highlights from this historic event—including the SOFA Student Performance showcase and key programs at the Poetry Center, Neilson Library, Alumnae House, Brown Fine Arts Center and the Smith College Museum of Art.
![Photo of choir and orchestra playing music in the ITT](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_copy_of_photos_20231021_inauguration_lg_95a2350.jpg.webp?itok=Qro6heKL)
![Smith cheerleaders in Mendenhall auditorium, pom poms raised above their heads](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_lg_95a1088.jpg.webp?itok=AFpqr80R)
![Two alums admiring paintings on the wall in the Alumnae House gallery](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231021_inauguration_lg_95a1801.jpg.webp?itok=HudxTANn)
![Students dancing in Mendenhall](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_jg_1269.jpg.webp?itok=SA-8Oewh)
![A student in the Smith Art Museum, staring intently at artwork on the right-hand wall](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_te_5577.jpg.webp?itok=pZPQJW1T)
![A group of attendees watching a presentation being given at the Boutelle-Day Poetry Center](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_jg_0923.jpg.webp?itok=FHvau1eA)
![A student reading poster presentations that are leaning on a shelf on a wall](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_te_5503.jpg.webp?itok=ksITApQS)
![Two attendees talking to each other and admiring political art in a gallery presentation](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_jg_0713.jpg.webp?itok=bbt-1vma)
![A group of attendees listen to a presentation being given in the library](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_jg_0622.jpg.webp?itok=uZ8CZCDc)
![A group of Smith students singing in front of a red curtain](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_jg_1402.jpg.webp?itok=gXrQkspE)
![Musical group Sweet Honey in the Rock performs on the stage during the installation ceremony.](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_jg_1183.jpg.webp?itok=iCa6LYfr)
![Photo of a photography exhibit on display in the Campus Center](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/photos_20231021_inauguration_te_6529.jpg.webp?itok=ea_E5jJY)
![Dancers and drummers perform in the Campus Center](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231021_inauguration_lg_95a2143.jpg.webp?itok=8ejYE2De)
![A group of dancers on the stage in Mendenhall](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_lg_95a1394.jpg.webp?itok=91JKerL1)
![Singers on stage in front of a red curtain](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_lg_95a1441.jpg.webp?itok=-hC5g94w)
![Sweet Honey in the Rock joined by Smith a cappella students, performing in the Campus Center](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231021_inauguration_te_6821.jpg.webp?itok=gYfBAZVF)
![An interactive chalkboard activity in the Smith art museum, asking visitors to answer the prompt, "What do you collect?"](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_te_5560.jpg.webp?itok=IvmQ8YPX)
![A group of dancers on stage](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_lg_95a1230.jpg.webp?itok=Q0tqZjaj)
![Singers on stage, performing, in front of a red curtain](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_lg_95a1171.jpg.webp?itok=ijP9QaKM)
![A photo of a student art exhibit in Hillyer](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_te_5587.jpg.webp?itok=QQr-93AE)
![A group of students on the stage in Mendenhall, clapping and smiling as Sarah Willie-LeBreton greets them](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_2023_1020_presidential_inauguration_jg_1588.jpg.webp?itok=bzds4dlb)
![A visitor at the Smith art museum, admiring the artwork](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_gallery_grid_thumb_large/public/2023-12/copy_of_photos_20231020_inauguration_te_5472.jpg.webp?itok=j1jaYVgX)