Name: Arts Council Social
Start: 2025-09-15T19:00:00-06:00
Location: Southern Utah Museum of Art

The Cedar City Arts Council Social on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. is at the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Presenters include Cellomania and writer/artist Micah Player. Dean Michael Schmidt will give an update on the SUU arts programs. We will also be previewing upcoming season events. Refreshments are provided. This is a free public program and you are invited.
Cellomania performs for many community events under the direction of Nina Hansen. The cellists play a wide range of popular and classical music. They used their CCAC mini-grant for sound equipment.
Micah Player is the author of This is a Moment, and the illustrator of numerous books for children. He grew up in Cedar City and studied Graphic Design at SUU before transferring to the University of Utah. He began his career designing graphics for apparel in Southern California. His first picture book, Chloe Instead was published by Chronicle Books in 2012. The New York Times called it “pure parental delight.” His latest book, This is a Moment, was released in April by Rocky Pond, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Rich digital color, washy textures, sharp mid-century inspired shapes and expressive ink lettering define his ever evolving style. He and his family live in a little house beneath a big tree right here in Cedar CIty, Utah.
Michael Schmidt joined SUU as Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts in 2024. Prior to SUU, he served at Valdosta State University in South Georgia as Interim Dean, Associate Dean, and Head of the Department of Art & Design, while teaching ceramics and foundations for more than 20 years. His artwork has been featured in over 200 regional, national, and international exhibitions, including exhibits in China, Korea, Poland, and Germany.
In collaboration with key SUU leaders, the new Eccles Music Center is taking shape, while the vibrant arts programing across CPVA and the Southern Utah Museum of Art continue to engage the community through numerous events. Dean Schmidt is especially looking forward to celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Center—which includes both SUMA and the Utah Shakespeare Festival—on July 7, 2026, and will share a preview of several exciting upcoming CPVA events at SUU.
The Cedar City Arts Council works to promote local artists through social media, mini-grants and events such as the Social to connect artists with the community. You are invited to the free event. Refreshments by Sweet and Knotty Bakery will be served.