(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University's Center for the Arts presents the Art on Screen series which takes you into the Dawn of Impressionism and includes spotlights on Georgia O'Keeffe and Michelangelo. Films are shown in the Pollak Theatre.
Monday, March 31, 2025 at 7:30pm - Dawn Of Impressionism, Paris 1874. The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history – millions flock every year to marvel at their masterpieces. But, to begin with, they were scorned, penniless outsiders. 1874 was the year that changed everything; the first Impressionists, “hungry for independence”, broke the mould by holding their own exhibition outside official channels. Impressionism was born and the art world was changed forever.
What led to that first groundbreaking show 150 years ago? Who were the maverick personalities that wielded their brushes in such a radical and provocative way? The spectacular Musée d’Orsay exhibition brings fresh eyes to this extraordinary tale of passion and rebellion. The story is told not by historians and curators but in the words of those who witnessed the dawn of Impressionism: the artists, press and people of Paris, 1874. See the show that changed everything on the big screen.
Made in close collaboration with the Musee d’Orsay and National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Tickets are $23 (Adult), $21 (Senior), $10 (Child), $5 (MU Student). Tickets are available for purchase online.
Monday, May 5, 2025 at 7:30pm - Georgia O’Keeffe: the Brightness of Light. This is a 2-hour documentary exploring the life and art of the most important woman artist of the 20th century – the ”Mother of Modernism.”
In the 1920s, O’Keeffe became famous for her paintings of flowers, bones, and the beauty of nature. She posed nude for shocking photographs by Alfred Stieglitz, but denied that her paintings depicted sexual imagery. In the 1970s, she emerged as an iconic role model for women.
Tickets are $23 (General Public), $21 (Seniors), $10 (Child), $5 (MU Students). Tickets are available for purchase online.
Monday, June 9, 2025 at 7:30pm - Michelangelo: Love & Death. The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this Renaissance giant? Michelangelo’s genius is evident in everything he touched. Beautiful and diverse works such as the towering statue of David, the moving Pietà in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter and his tour-de-force, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, still leave us breathless today.
Spanning his 88 years, Michelangelo – Love and Death takes a cinematic journey through the print and drawing rooms of Europe through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican to seek out a deeper understanding of this legendary figure’s tempestuous life, his relationship with his contemporaries and his incredible legacy.
Through expert commentary, stunning visuals and Michelangelo’s own words, this film takes a fresh look at a master artist whose life and genius are celebrated in every mark he made. Returning to cinemas in 2025 to celebrate this iconic artist’s 550th birthday.
Sculptor, painter, architect, poet, genius – discover why Michelangelo is without a doubt one of the greatest artists of all time.
Tickets are $23 (Adult), $21 (Senior), $10 (Child), $5 (MU Student). Tickets are available for purchase online.
The Pollak Theatre is located at 400 Cedar Avenue in West Long Branch, New Jersey. It is a recently renovated 700 seat theatre that presents live music, theatre and dance by national touring artists such as Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell, L.A. Theatreworks, and Ailey II Dance Company. In addition, the Pollak Theatre also screens HD broadcasts of the MET Opera, National Theatre of London, and The Bolshoi Ballet, along with children’s theater and other programming presented by the Center for the Arts.
The Center for the Arts at Monmouth University is a dynamic cultural hub, dedicated to fostering creativity and enriching our community through the performing, visual, cinematic, and literary arts. With a commitment to engaging both the university and broader audiences from the tri-state area and beyond, the Center offers a vibrant season of diverse programs designed to inspire and entertain.
From the Performing Arts Series, Children’s Theatre, and Visiting Writers Series to exhibitions at the Pollak, DiMattio, and Ice House Galleries, there is something for everyone. The Center also hosts the World Cinema Series, Tuesday Night Record Club, Tuesday Night Book Club, and an enriching Adult Education Series. Additionally, we proudly feature the Metropolitan Opera LIVE from Lincoln Center, alongside HD broadcasts from the National Theatre of London and Great Art on Screen.
Unique initiatives such as ArtNow, which fuses performance art and technology, along with our partnership with the Grammy Museum, offer unparalleled opportunities for research, internships, and exclusive events. The Center also celebrates cultural diversity through special programming for the Jewish Culture Program, Hispanic Heritage Month, Irish Studies, and more. We further support the Department of Music and Theatre Arts, the Department of Art and Design, and the English Department with marketing services to promote their exciting events.
