UNOW’s Construction Vehicle Parade unites campus and community while inspiring joy and curiosity
The usually quiet parking lot at University NOW (UNOW) Day Nursery rumbled to life on Oct. 20 as a host of construction vehicles, including an excavator, water truck and front-end loader, rolled in for what has become one of the daycare’s most anticipated traditions: the annual Construction Vehicle Parade.
The idea for the parade originated in 2023, when construction of Princeton’s TIGER (Thermally Integrated Geo-Exchange Resource) building, located next door to the nursery school on FitzRandolph Road, was near completion.
“The children had grown accustomed to enjoying watching the construction trucks through the fence, so we reached out to Facilities and the Office of Community Affairs to see if we could arrange for the vehicles to drive through our parking lot so the children could say ‘goodbye’ to them,” said UNOW director Erika Gilfether. “The first time was so much fun and enjoyed so thoroughly by everyone, we knew it needed to be an annual event.”
Read on inside.princeton.edu
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Prospect House spaces dedicated for ‘exemplary individuals’ who helped to shape the University and the world
Princeton dedicated a dozen Prospect House spaces on Oct. 22 in honor of faculty, alumni and others who “helped to shape the University and the world” through their achievements and perseverance in the face of adversity.
“Whether they were breaking the Nazis’ Enigma code during World War II, helping to vindicate civil rights and achieve equality, or blazing trails for women on campus and beyond, these 12 individuals displayed tenacity,” President Christopher L. Eisgruber said. “Their tenacity enabled them to excel. To persevere. To lead. To pursue their passions. To forge new paths. To fight injustices.”
Read on princeton.edu
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Princeton University Library acquires Trenton Times Photo Archive
Through an addition focused on preserving local, county, and state history, Princeton University Library (PUL) acquired the photographic archive of the Trenton Times earlier this year.
The Times, which has operated in the New Jersey capital since 1882, ceased publication of its daily print paper in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, PUL acquired its photo archive, which covers nearly 75 years of material, dating back to about 1950. The collection includes approximately 79,000 photographic prints, many of which have digital copies. In total, the full collection consists of 99 boxes of photos and three terabytes of data.
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Graveyard Shift by Ash Baudelaire ’26
Graveyard Shift is a gothic horror tragicomedy set in a haunted graveyard-turned-luxury-apartment complex. Fugitive librarians, a puritanical gravedigger, and a steampunk orphan grapple with the fear of death as the cost of one’s “calling” threatens to claim the ultimate price. Blending high-stakes physicality, lyrical dialogue, and kick-ass heavy metal, Graveyard Shift is a darkly absurdist exploration of faith, grief, and narratives of survival. Conceived and created by Princeton senior Ash Baudelaire and directed by senior Matthew Cooperberg.
Reserve free tickets to Graveyard Shift on tickets.princeton.edu.
November 14 and 15
8:00 PM
Wallace Theater at Lewis Arts Complex
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Explore printmaking using ordinary objects with artist Amanda Chesney.
Local printmaker Amanda Chesney will guide participants in creating embossed prints using commonplace materials like paper clips, feathers, and thread. A selection of objects will be provided; attendees are also welcome to bring thin, dry items to use in their prints.
Purchase admission on artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Friday, November 14
6:00 PM
Princeton University Art Museum, Laporte Family Creativity Lab
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The House Transformed
Curator Talk
Join the Princeton School of Architecture (SoA) for a curator talk with Dean and Professor Mónica Ponce de León on The House Transformed, the SoA’s current exhibition. The show, on view through February 7, explores the home understood for the needs of today.
Free and open to the public.
Saturday, November 15
10:00 AM
North Gallery, Princeton School of Architecture
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O Light, Be Praised
An evening of music for voice and organ, featuring music of Gabriel Fauré, Daniel Pinkham, Louis Vierne, and Gwyneth Walker. With Nicole Aldrich, soprano, and Eric Plutz, organist.
Free and open to the public
Saturday, November 15
7:30 PM
Princeton University Chapel
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The Yale Glee Club visits the Princeton University Glee Club in the annual “Football Concert” — a choral face-off tradition that is over a century old, taking place the weekend before the Princeton-Yale football game.
Purchase tickets to the Glee Club Football Concert on tickets.princeton.edu.
Sunday, November 16
3:00 PM
Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall
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A Poetry Reading by Nathaniel Mackey ’69
National Book Award-winning poet and Princeton alumnus, Nathaniel Mackey, Class of 1969, reads from his work. Mackey is the author of numerous books and chapbooks of poetry, a multi-volume fiction work, two books of criticism, and co-editor of two anthologies. He has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship, the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize from the Poetry Foundation, the Bollingen Prize for American Poetry from the Beinecke Library at Yale University, and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Cosponsored by the Department of English Department with support from the Bain-Swiggett Fund.
Reserve free tickets to the reading on tickets.princeton.edu.
Tuesday, November 18
7:00 PM
Hearst Dance Theater at Lewis Arts Complex
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Open Studios presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Visual Arts
Juniors and seniors in the Program in Visual Arts and Practice of Art Track in the Department of Art & Archaeology open their studios to the community. The student artists will be on hand to discuss their work and artistic processes with visitors in a wide range of media including photography, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, graphic design, and film.
Free and open to the public
Wednesday, November 19
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Studios at 185 Nassau Street
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Join Princeton University Art Museum for the ongoing lecture series highlighting exciting voices in the field of photography.
This year’s installment features Diana Kamin, author of Picture-Work: How Libraries, Museums, and Stock Agencies Launched a New Image Economy (MIT Press, 2023). Kamin is an advanced lecturer in the Department of Communication and Media Studies at Fordham University in New York. Her research has been published in Information & Culture, Journal of Visual Culture, and Artforum, among other publications.
Moderated by Francesca Butterfield, doctoral candidate in the Department of Art & Archaeology.
Free and open to the public.
Wednesday, November 19
5:00 PM
Princeton University Art Museum, Tuttle Lecture Hall
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After Noon Concert Series
The After Noon Concert Series is a weekly opportunity for the Princeton Community to enjoy performances at the Princeton University Chapel by various local, national, and international organists. These half-hour concerts showcase the flexibility of the magnificent Skinner/Mander Chapel organ. Each visiting organist rehearses and performs, bringing forth a different voice and character from the organ.
Free and open to the public.
Thursday, November 20
12:30 PM
Princeton University Chapel
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In a conversation with Alexandra Foradas, Haskell Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Syrian-born American artist Diana Al-Hadid discusses the historical frameworks and perspectives that shape her artistic practice. Taking inspiration from ancient art, architecture, cultural heritage, folkloric storytelling, and more, Al-Hadid weaves together enigmatic narratives to create dynamic sculpture, wall reliefs, and works on paper. Cosponsored by the Student Advisory Board of the Princeton University Art Museum.
Free and open to the public.
Thursday, November 20
5:30 PM
Princeton University Art Museum, Grand Hall
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Drawing from the Collections: Pastels
Princeton University Art Museum's popular virtual art-making series returns with lessons by artist-instructor Barbara DiLorenzo, who will guide participants on working with pastels—a versatile and beginner-friendly material. Each week’s lesson will be inspired by an object from the exhibition, Princeton Collects.
This week’s lesson is all about creating unique portraits, inspired by Zanele Muholi’s Massa and Minah VI, Brazil (2010).
Cosponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton.
Register for the free livestream on artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Thursday, November 20
8:00 PM
Online
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Princeton Dance Festival
The 2025 Princeton Dance Festival features new and repertory works by nationally and internationally recognized choreographers, performed by more than 50 Princeton students in an energetic program of dances from a surprising range of dance forms. The work in the Festival includes an excerpt of the iconic repertory work, “Gloria,” by the legendary Mark Morris staged by original company member Tina Fehlandt; a restaging of “Non-sequitor Paramour,” a contemporary work by Kyle Abraham, Artistic Director of the internationally acclaimed A.I.M dance company who has also choreographed for Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago; a new contemporary ballet work by Pam Tanowitz, who has created dances for New York City Ballet and The Royal Ballet; a new work by sought-after contemporary dancer and choreographer Christopher Ralph; a new Vogue and House work by Omari Wiles, whose choreography has been featured by Janet Jackson and Beyoncé, and is choreographing for Cats: The Jellical Ball on Broadway in 2026; and a new contemporary work by former Princeton Arts Fellow and Guggenheim Fellow Netta Yerushalmy.
Purchase tickets to Princeton Dance Festival on mccarter.org.
November 21 and 22 at 8:00 PM
November 22 and 23 at 2 PM
McCarter Theatre Center
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Art For Families
Upcycling
Saturdays are for young makers in the Creativity Labs! Stop by and create your own suncatcher inspired by the artists Doug and Mike Starn.
Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to explore a work of art, play with different materials, and exercise your imagination. Come for fifteen minutes or two hours—whatever your schedule allows. All ages are welcome; no tickets or reservations required.
Light dances through (Any) Body Oddly Propped (2015)—the glass, steel, and bronze sculpture created by brothers Doug and Mike Starn. Explore this sculpture and capture a bit of light yourself by making your own suncatcher. We provide the materials, you bring the creativity!
Saturday, November 15
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Princeton University Art Museum
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Science Saturdays at Lawrence Library
Sponsored by Science Outreach at Princeton University
This event is free and open to students in 2nd-5th grades. Students will engage in different hands-on engaging science activities each month.
Online registration required and opens 12 hours before the program start time. Visit www.mcl.org and click the “Events” then “Events Calendar” tab to register.
Saturday, November 15
11:00 AM
Lawrence Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ, 08648
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Images
Construction Parade - Photo by Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications
Prospect House - Photo by Matthew Raspanti, Office of Communications
Trenton Times - Photo credit: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Nathaniel Mackey - Photo by Cybele Knowles
Diana Al-Hadid - Photo by Jeffrey Evans
Drawing for the Collections - Zanele Muholi, Massa and Minah VI, Brazil, from the series Massa and Minnah, 2010. Princeton University Art Museum. Gift of Christopher E. Olofson, Class of 1992. © Zanele Muholi, courtesy of the artist and Yancey Richardson, New York. Photo: Jeffrey Evans
Art for Families - Doug and Mike Starn, (Any) Body Oddly Propped (detail), 2015. Princeton University Art Museum. Museum commission made possible by Shelly Belfer Malkin, Class of 1986, and Anthony E. Malkin, and by the John B. Putnam Jr. Memorial Fund. © Doug and Mike Starn, 2015. Photo: Ricardo Barros
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