University Times

Creativity abounded at Pitt’s first Collider event, held April 6.

Sponsored by the Center for Creativity, in partnership with the University Library System’s Digital Scholarship Commons, the event brought members of the Pitt community together for an evening of art, music and performance.

Erik Schuckers, workshop manager for the Center for Creativity, said: “At each Collider, we focus on one important component of creativity and invite creators of all skill levels to try out, display or perform work around the theme in an informal party atmosphere.”

The first Collider focused on improvisation. Faculty, staff and students could work on their improv skills with help from Ruckus, Pitt’s improv comedy troupe; make wearable buttons from recycled materials; and improvise drawing materials from sticks, cardboard, records and telephone cords.

A quartet from the Pitt Jazz Ensemble provided music; they were joined for their last set by studio arts faculty member Aaron Henderson and some of his students, who improvised digital video art on big screens in response to the music.

Other Collider events are in the planning stages. To keep up on the center’s events, check its calendar at creativity.pitt.edu.