College of Visual and Performing Arts

XL Projects bridges college and community
By Erica Sanderson
March 2, 2010 - 5:00pm
A new art studio in the heart of downtown Syracuse engages the local community with the hill.

Tucked inside the heart of Armory Square lies a single art studio. Most students have probably wandered past the large glass windows of XL Projects without realizing it. Settled next to Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge, across from Syracuse Suds Factory, this newly christened art space is the baby of Syracuse University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts.

Old World opera meets new media
By Nigel Smith
February 24, 2010 - 10:44pm
Syracuse Opera calls on College of Visual and Performing Arts students to create abstract video backdrops for 'The Flying Dutchman.'

Richard Wagner is considered a god among titans by opera aficionados.

His operas are grand opuses, largely inspired by northern European mythology and legend. Because Wagner operas call for such elaborate sets, staging one is an ambitious endeavor for any company — even one the size of the Metropolitan Opera. Syracuse Opera — the only year-round professional opera company serving upstate New York — has been a successful institution since its first season in 1974, but staging a Wagner opera remains a challenge.