Star-studded 'Odyssey' planned for April 5

Two School of Fine Arts alumni — ceramicist/author/musician Beth Lo ’74 and composer/singer/actor David Simmons ’83 — will be the featured guest artists this spring for the UM School of Fine Arts eighth annual “Odyssey of the Stars — A Celebration of Artistic Journeys.”

Scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 5, the event benefits the School of Fine Arts scholarship fund. “Odyssey of the Stars” showcases performing and visual arts alumni who have gone on to successful careers in the arts in concert with current UM students.

Lo, a UM art professor, is a distinguished national and international contributor in the field of ceramics. She has taught ceramics, sculpture, foundations and drawing at the University since 1985. Her pottery has been featured as the cover story in American Craft Magazine; at the Ceramics International Invitational in Beijing, China; and in a variety of exhibitions in Mexico, Taiwan, China, Germany and major venues throughout the United States. Her art also has been acquired by the Microsoft Corporation and Cheney Cowles Art Museum in Spokane, as well as by notable private collectors.

Lo’s recently published children’s book, “Mahjong All Day Long,” earned her the 2006 National Marion Vannett Ridgeway Award and was designated a Montana Book Award “Honor Book.” In addition to Lo’s life as an artist, she leads another life as a musician. She is a member of the nationally recognized Big Sky

Mudflaps, which has appeared on the NBC “Today” show, and will be joined on stage by this popular Montana band. An alumna of the UM Department of Art, she received a master of fine arts degree in ceramics.

Simmons, an acclaimed singer with an electrifying baritone voice, is an artist who has worn many hats. A composer, playwright and lyricist, he is an inspirational singer-songwriter whose recording credits include “U*B*U,” “Yes I Can” and “I Believe” — all recorded with the U*B*U Band on the independent U*B*U Music/Joyful Records label.

His touring and performing experiences have included traveling to more than 20 countries on four continents. Simmons starred as Matthew in numerous regional productions and national tours of Harry Chapin’s bluegrass musical “Cottonpatch Gospel.” He also played Stephen King in a national tour of “Stephen King’s Ghost Stories.”

Simmons also has composed numerous soundtracks for the Minnesota Planetarium, short films and children’s musicals. For the past eight years, he has served as coordinator of music and worship leader for the LivingWord Worship and services at Incarnation Lutheran Church in Shoreview, Minn.

An alumnus of the Bigfork Summer Playhouse and the Missoula Children’s Theatre, Simmons received a bachelor of music degree in vocal performance from UM. He is the son of Donald and Pat Simmons of Missoula and brother of “Odyssey” honoree J.K. “Kim” Simmons.

“Odyssey 2008” spotlights students from the departments of music and drama/dance, assisted by the Department of Media Arts and the Department of Art. For sponsorship and ticket information, call the School of Fine Arts Dean’s Office at 406-243-4971.