SDSU Honors John Steinbeck Throughout April

‘Enduring Voice of California’ Celebration Includes Play and Photo Exhibit

Contact:
Gina Speciale
SDSU Marketing & Communication
(619) 594-4563 office
speciale@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO (Tuesday, March 27, 2007) —From “Grapes of Wrath” to “Of Mice and Men,” American novelist John Steinbeck’s books are central to the history of California. In honor of his great body of work, San Diego State University will celebrate the Nobel Prize-winning author with a series of multi-disciplinary events during the month of April.

John Steinbeck, Courtesy ISTEP

“An Enduring Voice for California – A Celebration of John Steinbeck” starts April 2 with an exhibition at SDSU’s University Art Gallery titled “Field Work: Documenting California’s Migrant Farm Labor Experience - Images 1935 – 2003.” The exhibit will feature prints from the 1930s collaboration between Life Magazine photographer Horace Bristol and Steinbeck, vintage prints by Dorothea Lange photographed in the farm fields of California between 1935 and 1940, and works by contemporary California artists Roger Minick, Paul Turounet and Louis Hock. The exhibition curator is Tina Yapelli, director of the University Art Gallery.

The marquis event of the month will feature keynote speaker Susan Shillinglaw, former director of the Center for Steinbeck Studies and a professor at San Jose State University who will discuss “The Wrath of a Nation: Reading the ‘Grapes of Wrath,’ 1939-2007.” Shillinglaw authored the book “A Journey into Steinbeck’s California.” The lecture will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15 in West Commons 220.

“John Steinbeck reveals to us the complexity of the diverse cultures, communities, languages and peoples of California,” said Bill Nerricio, SDSU professor of English and Comparative Literature. “SDSU’s exploration of this ‘enduring voice for California’ helps remind us of the way literature forever changes and renders great, the lands and peoples of our remarkable state.”

As part of the celebration, SDSU’s theater department will perform a live stage show “John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath,” April 27-May 6. The 1990 Tony-Award winning play is based on the novel about poverty and struggle of Oklahoma farmers forced to become migrant workers in California.

Other Steinbeck events will include:

John Bristol Photo on Display at the University Art Gallery

Steinbeck’s Wrath — Commies,Oakies and the Battle for California’s Heartland

7 p.m., Wednesday, April 18, Gateway Center 1504

Moderated by John Putnam, SDSU history professor. Featuring: Jeffrey Charles, Associate Professor of History, CSU San Marcos; William Deverell, Professor of History, University of Southern California; and Charles Wollenberg, Professor of History, Berkeley City College.

Watching Steinbeck’s Ethnic Eye/I

4 p.m., Thursday, April 19, West Commons 220

Moderated by Bill Nericcio, SDSU English and Comparative Literature professor. Featuring: Arturo J. Aldama, Professor of Ethnic Etudies, Colorado University, Boulder; Fred Gardaphe, Professor of American Studies, State University New York, Stonybrook; Michael Harper, Professor of English, Mt. San Antonio College; and Paul Wong, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, SDSU.

Of Mice & Men, Mice & Beans, and Laughing Tomatoes — Steinbeck and Mexican-American Children's Authors

4:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 25, Gateway Center 1504

Moderated by Phillip Serrato, SDSU assistant professor, English and Comparative Literature. Featuring: Pam Munoz Ryan, author of “Esperanza Rising,” “Of Mice and Beans” and other well-known children's books; Hernan Moreno-Hinojosa, author of Candelaria’s Sorrow and The Ghostly Rider and Other Chilling Tales; and Francisco X. Alarcon, author of “Laughing Tomatoes and Other Spring Poems,” “Angeles Ride Bikes” and other collections of children's poetry.

Page, State, Screen – Different “Readings” of Steinbeck’s Work

7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, Don Powell Theater

Moderatored by Nick Reed, Director of SDSU’s School of Theater, Television and Film Featuring scenes from Steinbeck books presented through readings, film clips and theatrical presentations.

Information about the entire program of events can be found at: http://cal.sdsu.edu/steinbeck.

Local teachers can benefit from the month-long celebration and learn how to integrate Steinbeck into their curriculum through a workshop offered by SDSU’s International Studies Education Program. Teachers will have the opportunity to earn university credit by attending three of the events and the teacher-idea exchange workshop. The workshop takes place from 8:30 - 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, and will include discussion of classroom implementation ideas and a lesson plan exchange.

This month long celebration is sponsored by SDSU’s College of Arts and Letters, College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, and made possible by a grant from the James Hervey Johnson Charitable Trust.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Since it was founded in 1897, the university has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 81 areas, master's degrees in 73 areas and doctorates in 16 areas. SDSU's more than 34,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information, visit www.sdsu.edu.

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