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Family Weekend

Family Weekend is all about sharing the sights, sounds and spirit of the University of South Carolina with your family and friends. The College of Arts and Sciences welcomes you to enjoy some quality time with these fantastic events Friday, September 22.

Friday, September 22, 2023

Go behind the scenes in a blacksmithing art studio, watch a live dance rehearsal, meet critters in our research labs and more. Enjoy ice cream with our own Dean Samuels, share your story in a podcast, and see the stars come out at Melton Observatory. 


Beyond Violet Exhibition 
Christina Kerns’ “Beyond Violet” exhibition uses lenticular technology (also known as moving pictures, wiggle pictures or tilt cards) to echo the duplicity of real life and online experience. The series is heavily influenced by images created for social media and the compulsion to portray identity online. 
9 a.m.  – 4 p.m. 
McMaster Gallery  
 
Blacksmithing Demonstration 
Learn how art students use the blacksmithing yard to create unique works of art. The instructor and students will offer demonstrations of introductory techniques. 
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Sculpture/blacksmithing yard outside McMaster 
 
Tell Your Southern Story 
Drop by the studio at the Institute for Southern Studies and share your stories on our “Take on the South” podcast. Chat about the South with our hosts, grab some free merch, explore our library and download our latest app, ExploreSC, for a digital guide to South Carolina history.  
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
Institute for Southern Studies, Gambrell 116 
 
Ice Cream with the Dean 
Join our Office of Undergraduate Studies for sweet treats, games and the opportunity to meet the dean, advisors, career coaches, student ambassadors and other members of our college community. While you’re here, pick up a flyer directing you to all the events in our departments throughout the day. 
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
Flinn Hall 

Math is Everything
Tour the Math Learning Center and find out more about how our faculty and students use numbers and mathematical theory to explore the world. Snacks provided.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Leconte 108

Behind the Scenes Biology 
Meet our resident corn snake and learn about snapping shrimp in a marine biology lab, along with other fascinating subjects, in this tour of our biology research spaces.  
1 p.m. until; tours every 15 minutes 
Coker Life Sciences lobby 
 
Dive into Research 
Visit labs in the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment to see how we conduct research to help solve environmental issues. Learn how  to get involved with opportunities for students as early as freshman year. 
2 p.m. 
Jones Physical Sciences Building, 104 

McKissick Museum Behind the Scenes Tour 
Come explore the treasures in McKissick Museum's massive collection. With more than 100,000 gem and mineral specimens, sweetgrass baskets, pottery and even the original Cocky uniform, McKissick has something to pique your interest! 
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. 
McKissick Museum, second floor lobby 

 
USC Dance Company Rehearsal 
Be among the first to see what’s to come in the Fall Dance Concert, as the USC Dance Company rehearses the classic ballet Les Sylphides, about woodland nymphs, or sylphs, dancing in the moonlight. 
3:10 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. 
Studio 102 at the Band Dance Facility, 324 Sumter Street 
 
Stargazing at Melton Observatory 
Enjoy an evening of stargazing at the Melton Observatory. The Astronomy Club will be present to demonstrate telescopes and answer questions about the stars, planets and other aspects of studying outer space. 
8 – 10 p.m. 
Melton Observatory, Greene Street 

Saturday, September 23

 Museum Exhibitions Tour 
Enjoy a tour of the second-floor galleries in McKissick Museum led by a member of the museum's curatorial staff. After the tour, we invite guests to explore the “Natural Curiosity” exhibit on the third floor. 
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
McKissick Museum, second floor lobby


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