Originating from the word “tatau” in Polynesian, tattoos’ prevalence in history began as far back as ancient times. Their use and meaning is ever-evolving.

The classic musical drama “Footloose" has made its way to George Fox University (GFU), and the theater department has been working for months to make it a must-see production.

For five weeks, the Minthorn Art Gallery housed an invigorating aroma of citrus and a vibrant display of color and texture on canvas. These elements formed the collective works of an artist’s call to the importance of attention amid the busyness of modern life.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an integral part of daily life, influencing industries ranging from education to business. AI’s ability to assist in tasks such as brainstorming marketing strategies, outlining academic papers, and generating images has proven valuable.

The blast of the trumpet, the buzz of the double bass, the ringing of the piano, the smooth sounds of the saxophone, and the beat of the drums fill the concert hall. These instruments blend to create an immersive and magical sound known as jazz.

Why can’t we hold a conference dedicated to a pop culture icon? This question sparked an innovative idea in Jessica Hughes, chair of the English Department at George Fox University (GFU), and a team of enthusiastic undergraduate students. Their goal? Host an academic conference centered on the multi-faceted phenomenon known as Taylor Swift.

As students and staff walk into the Chapel, they can see the high ceilings with chandeliers hanging down, tall windows on the sides, and in the front to let in natural light. The construction of the Chapel was completed this year and opened to the public. In addition, there are two painted murals located at the back of the Chapel.

Tickets are now available for the Performing Arts Department's fall production of The Hiding Place, with eight performances scheduled in Wood-Mar Auditorium. Free student tickets are available for Thursday shows only. Students and staff can claim one free ticket for themselves by visiting georgefox.edu/box-office. Additional tickets may be purchased on the site. Dates for the shows are as follows: Oct. 17-19 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 20 at 2 p.m., Oct. 24-25 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 26-27 at 2 p.m.

Chances are, you’ve probably heard of Taylor Swift. At 34 years old, Swift is a global pop sensation who’s been releasing music since 2006. This year, during her Grammy acceptance speech, she revealed that she will be releasing her eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” on April 19. Between this new album, the cultural and economic impact of her Eras tour, and her high-profile relationship with football star Travis Kelce, it seems that everyone is talking about Taylor Swift. 

Launched in 2011, Letterboxd describes itself as “a global social network for grass-roots film discussion and discovery” and a social media platform for recording and sharing a user’s recent and favorite movies. Users rate and review movies for their friends and the public to see while discovering new flicks to watch.

Every day, George Fox University (GFU) students pass by two peace poles on their way to and from classes, meetings, social appointments, and study sessions. One pole is located outside the Murdock Library and the other is in front of Bauman Auditorium. Each pole has four sides with the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written on each in four different languages. 

Art is a universal language and has been the means of communicating experiences that are unable to be put into words. Claire Russell, a senior at George Fox University (GFU), recently released her newest showcase titled, “Sound Stories: Experiences with Hearing Loss.” The gallery illustrates the experiences of Russell and others who have struggled with hearing loss. 

In August, controversy swept the Internet and art world as Jason Allen won the Colorado State Fair’s annual art competition with a piece titled “Théâtre D'opéra Spatial.” Allen beat out 20 other entries and took home $300 with his breathtaking piece portraying a night at the opera in space. 

Seth Van Der Eems’ art installation in the Minthorne Gallery, “Gated Gardens” reflects the artist’s exploration of “marks of a human being on their environment.”

George Fox University’s (GFU) Theatre Program is presenting “Oliver!” this fall, a musical based on the Charles Dickens novel “Oliver Twist.” It follows a young orphan boy, Oliver, through life in the workhouse and then on the streets. He meets several interesting characters along the way and has riveting adventures.

Created by Marvin Eans and Chandler Brutscher, the previous art exhibit “Healing for Humanity'' was a collage comprised of multicolored cut-out letters on canvas that make out words such as “justice” and “hope.” The letters were printed in silk screen ink and have a sheen to them; the light reflected brilliantly across the canvas at different angles. The vision that Brutscher and Eans share for their artwork and for humanity’s healing is beautiful and encouraging.

This year George Fox University’s (GFU) theatre program is putting on the play “The Hijabis.” This play is about the lives of Muslim American women—a strange choice for the GFU theatre department as a part of a Christian school with few Muslim students.

The easing of the pandemic has led to a gradual return to “normal” life. For Reid Arthur, that means a return to the theater. He is putting on a production in Newberg, Ore. It is not any ordinary production, as the Newberg of today has evolved since March 2020. It must reflect the need for change and radical inclusivity brought out of the town in the past two years’ events.

On Feb. 4, Mitski released her sixth studio album after a three-and-a-half year hiatus. Mitski has been on the indie rock/alternative scene for a decade and has made a name for herself as one of the most prominent queer artists of the 2010s (and of all time).