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Over the past several years, Special Collections & Archives has made a targeted effort to partner with local and regional businesses and organizations on special exhibits and events. These have included Bookmarks, Foothills Brewing, Hoots Roller Bar and Beer Company, Piedmont Craftsman, and SECCA. Our most recent collaboration is with Winston-Salem’s Piedmont Opera, whose mission is to “create operatic productions of the highest artistic quality to enrich our community and to advance the art form.” By working together, we can present joint events and exhibits, which furthers our campus and community ties and connections.

On September 27th, SCA and Piedmont Opera will honor the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entrance into World War I with a reception and showing of the SCA exhibit “Testaments of War: World War I in Literature, Art, and Memoir” which includes rare items from SCA collection. This event, which will include a brief musical performance and refreshments, will focus on Piedmont Opera’s upcoming performances of the World War I opera “Silent Night.” Winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Music, the opera is based on historical events and depicts a spontaneous 1915 Christmas truce between combatants on the Western front.

“Silent Night” will be performed in the Stevens Center on October 27, 29, and 31, and there will be special performances for local students during the week prior. SCA will install a pop-up exhibit version of “Testaments of War” which will be available during the lunch hour in the Stevens Center, October 23-31, and during the main performances as well. Piedmont Opera is also hosting a reading by Dr. Ed Wilson on Poets of the Great War on October 8 from 3:00-4:30 in the Byrum Welcome Center. This kind of synergistic alliance can help both SCA and Piedmont Opera build awareness about our programs, and connect those who support us. We look forward to seeing you at these future events!