The local community has events lined up through February for anyone interested in the arts, from art lovers to anyone looking for a way to pass the time. Though this is not an exhaustive list, it includes major art events in the community. Unless otherwise stated, the following events are free for students. Reduced pricing is usually available for students at events held in the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts. Presentation of student ID is necessary for student pricing conditions to apply. Dates and times may be subject to change due to weather conditions.

The Hammond Regional Arts Center hopes to spread happiness through 2018 with their new initiative called “Hammond Rocks.” According to their Instagram page, HRAC will provide free rocks for participants to paint and leave in public places as part of their mission “to make someone’s day, promote random acts of kindness or send an inspirational message.” Anyone who wishes to participate can visit the Hammond farmers market at 2 West Thomas Street on Saturday, Feb. 3 to paint a rock with HRAC Executive Director Maureen Joyce.

On Feb. 6 at 1 p.m., Associate Dean and Director of the Center for Continuing Studies and Distance Education in the college of arts and sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Marcus Cox will present the Black History Month lecture “African-American Troops in World War II” in the Student Union Theatre. Starting at 7 p.m. in the University Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will hold a “Poetry Slam.” 

The “Southeastern Opera/Music Theatre Workshop,” which is held every semester, will showcase performing arts students in the Columbia on Thursday, Feb. 8 and Friday, Feb. 9, both at 7:30 p.m. This semester’s workshop is titled “Works of Mercy/The Beautiful Bridegroom.”

For music lovers, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Columbia on Friday, Feb. 16 to perform “Beethoven Meets the Wild West.” The concert will include Gioachino Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 6,” or “Pastoral Symphony.” At the university, the Jazz Ensemble will hold a concert on Monday, Feb. 26 in Pottle Auditorium. 

From Feb. 19-23 in the Contemporary Art Gallery, students can attend a new media animation workshop led by filmmaker and artist Martha Colburn as part of the Visiting Artist Series. 

The Aquila Theatre will bring their performance of William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” to the Columbia on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The university theater season continues this semester with the 2017 Inkslinger Winner “Life on the Moon,” scheduled in the Vonnie Borden Theatre for Feb. 27 through March 2. Each year, an original, unpublished play submitted for the Inkslinger Playwriting Competition is chosen to be produced in the Vonnie Borden Theatre. The submission deadline for next year’s production is April 1.

The Hammond Regional Arts Center will keep up the “Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial” until Feb. 23 while exhibited artwork from faculty in the department of art and design can be seen in the Contemporary Art Gallery through Feb. 9.