HFC's fine arts programs host 24-hour arts innovation for second year
The HFC Fine Arts programs will hold their second annual “gloriously chaotic and frantically creative event” called HFC-24 from 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 7, in the Sisson Art Gallery and the Adray Auditorium in the MacKenzie Fine & Performing Arts Center (Building F on the main campus).
HFC-24, a one-night-and-day collaborative student arts project, includes the participation of all the Fine Arts programs and their faculty leaders at the College:
- Theatre, led by Dr. John Michael Sefel
- Media Communication Arts (MCA), led by Susan McGraw
- Graphic Design, led by Vicki Shepherd
- Studio Art, led by Steve Glazer
- Music, led by Anthony Lai
- Photography, led by Karen Larson-Voltz
All HFC students, Henry Ford Early College students, and dual enrollment students, regardless of academic program, are welcome to participate in HFC-24.
"We're really excited to kick off the new school year with HFC-24,” explained Sefel. “It's not only a way to welcome new and returning students, it's a chance to emphasize that ALL arts majors benefit from thinking more broadly and to point out the interconnectedness of what we do. By starting the semester with this message, we hope it will have ripple effects throughout the year."
He continued: "So much of what arts majors do is based on lengthy rehearsals and hyper-fixating on minute details. HFC-24 is wonderful because it forces us to avoid those comfortable fallbacks. With only 24 hours, students must make quick and bold choices and be comfortable sharing their unpolished work. It's an opportunity to celebrate the process as much as the product. Plus, being so early in the semester, it's a perfect way for students to meet like-minded artists, building new connections and friendships!"
Sefel pointed out that although HFC-24 may last 24 hours, no student will actually work for the entire 24 hours.
“They will be allowed to go home and sleep when they please,” he said. “The focus of HFC-24 is having fun and making connections.”
Designed to be a positive, supportive, artistically experimental event
On the evening of Friday, September 6, students participating in HFC-24 will gather for the opening festivities. At this event, the guidelines and several artistic prompts will be announced. They will then have 24 hours to create original art (film, live and recorded music, photography, sculpture, painting, graphic design, and live theatre) based on these prompts. They will then present them in a public performance and exhibition on Saturday, September 7, from 7:30 until 9:30 p.m.
HFC-24 was largely inspired by the HFC-23 event. Organized by Sefel, HFC-23 brought students together to create new plays in collaboration with Detroit-based playwrights in just 23 hours. Last year, the Fine Arts programs explored how students could jump in and work together to create exciting and interdisciplinary artwork, compositions, and performances – in a span of 24 hours!
HFC-24 is designed to be a positive, supportive, artistically experimental event. While there is the 24-hour "clock," faculty members will put their best efforts into ensuring that it remains a positive, non-competitive, healthy experience for students – with plenty of time to rest!
“In the arts and entertainment industries, actors, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, and graphic designers work side-by-side,” explained Sefel. “With HFC-24, we wanted to get our students to start thinking about their peers in all artistic disciplines as potential collaborators and partners.”
While this performance is free and open to the public, cash donations will be collected and distributed to the student-run clubs in Fine Arts. Additionally, donations of non-perishable food and personal items will be collected for the Hawks’ Nest, HFC’s food pantry for students.
Doors will open at 7:10 p.m. for the September 7 performance. Audience discretion is advised, as there may be some material that is not suitable for children.
For questions or more information about HFC-24, contact Sefel at jsefel@hfcc.edu.