AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - The third annual UMass Spring Arts Festival is underway, offering the community more than 75 arts events, including concerts, performances, exhibitions, and faculty-led discussions. Running from March 24 to May 9, the festival highlights the creative talents of students, f aculty, and visiting artists through a mix of free and ticketed events. Ludlow elects new selectmen, school committee members A collaboration between the Fine Arts Center and the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (HFA), the festival is a testament to UMass Amherst's dedication to the arts. “The Spring Arts Festival not only underscores an important partnership between HFA and the Fine Arts Center, but it also showcases the immense talent of students, faculty, and staff in our community," said Lupe Davidson, Dean of HFA at UMass Amherst. The festival features a variety of artistic expressions, from student-led performances to internationally acclaimed musicians and scholars. A key event component is HFA Days, which invites the public to sit in on open classroom sessions spanning subjects like visual art, Afro-American studies, literature, linguistics, and philosophy. “The future belongs to creative leaders—those who innovate, experiment, and push boundaries,” said Jamilla Deria, Director of the Fine Arts Center. “The arts drive innovation, and this festival showcases the extraordinary talent and energy that make our campus a dynamic hub for the next generation of visionaries.” Alongside faculty discussions and classroom experiences, the Spring Arts Festival will feature a lineup of performances, exhibitions, and special events, including: Student Art Sale – March 28, noon to 4 p.m., Studio Arts Building Juniper Literary Festival – April 4-5, celebrating poetry, fiction, and nonfiction Fine Arts Center Outdoor Concert Series April 10: Skruple and The Baxbys at Southwest Residential Area beach April 17: South Pleasant Revival and The Greys at Southwest Residential Area beach John Cameron Mitchell Performance – April 11, an evening with the actor and screenwriter Meshell Ndegeocello Concert – April 24, a performance by the three-time Grammy winner Bach Festival and Symposium – April 25-27, featuring world-renowned musicians and scholars Spring Artwalk – April 19, featuring hands-on art activities, exhibitions, and free snacks Xanadu Musical Production – May 2, 3, and 7, presented by the UMass Department of Theater Bruce Hornsby & yMusic Performance – May 9, closing out the festival with a mix of classical and contemporary music With a diverse lineup of events, the UMass Spring Arts Festival provides a platform for students and faculty to engage in meaningful artistic expression while inviting the greater community to participate. A full schedule of events is available online. Local News Headlines Eversource, Arbor Day Foundation to provide free trees to Springfield customers Governor Healey appoints new member to Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Western Massachusetts organizations push for joint rules deal This local nonprofit is looking to buy Beaver Brook Golf Course for recreation and conservation WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less