DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College’s spring semester 2018 schedule for Visual and Performing Arts is highlighted by something old and something new.

The old: a musical based upon a 100-year old novel.

“The Secret Garden,” starring Morgan Smith, of Kalamazoo, as Mary Lennox, Zach Allyn, of Hastings, as Uncle Archibald and Janis Young, of St. Joseph, as Aunt Lily.

SMC’s Manager of Theatre Operations and Applied Performing Arts Marcus Roll directs the spring musical, with showings at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. A Sunday matinee will be at 2 p.m. on March 4.

Tickets are available for purchase online at swmich.edu/boxoffice. All shows will be in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on SMC’s Dowagiac campus.

The new: SMC’s larger, newly-renovated art gallery, which will debut with “Jessika Clement: The Generous Deceit of Elusive Darkness” Feb. 5 to March 1, with a public reception at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Clement, an SMC alumna from Edwardsburg, went on to study painting at Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. In her series of abstract paintings, dynamic slashes of paint contrast with soft brush marks, while bright colors, illuminated by baroque-inspired lighting, emerge from darkness.

“Chem Lab,” designed in collaboration with SMC Chemistry Professor Dr. Douglas Schauer, runs from March 5 to April 5 in the art gallery, with a public reception at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 15. This exhibition explores possibilities of the space as a laboratory — part exhibition, part experiment.

The final exhibitions include a juried student art exhibit, scheduled April 4 to 25, with a public reception at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, followed by the sophomore scholarship exhibition May 1 to 2. All of the exhibitions will be in Room 108 of the Lyons Building. 

Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and receptions are open to visitors at no cost.

Other performing arts events in the spring include SMC’s Jazz Ensemble and Select Voices Friday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. for “Jazz at the Beckwith Theatre,” 100 New York Ave., in downtown Dowagiac, for jazz, rock and other popular styles. Proceeds benefit will Beckwith Theatre Company.

In addition, SMC’s spring band concert, conducted by Director of Bands Dr. Jonathan Korzun, will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 23. Guests will listen a variety of classical, contemporary and popular styles featuring symphonic band, brass brand and selected small ensembles.

SMC’s spring choral concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, with Director of Choral Activities David Carew, offers classical and popular pieces featuring the concert choir, select voices and men’s ensemble.

Spring’s lineup concludes with the Collage Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, a non-stop showcase of bands, choirs, soloists and small ensembles seamlessly woven into a dazzling evening of music.

All concerts are free. Donations accepted at the door benefit SMC’s VAPA program.