Kip Fulbeck, swimmer, artist, teacher, and mixed-race identity advocate, will be the next speaker in the Artist Lecture Series on Nov. 11.
“I like his work. I think it’s interesting,” Britnee Burleson, respiratory care sophomore, said.
Fulbeck won the award for athlete of the year in 1988 and creates art such as poetry and stories. He has also been a movie director, directing a total of 12 films such as Lilo and Me, which Fulbeck released in 2003. Much of Fulbeck’s works address the topic of individuals who are of a mixed race, much like Fulbeck himself who is of mixed English and Cantonese heritage.
Students hope for Fulbeck to address a variety of topics.
“I would hope he talks about how important it is to not judge people on what racial background they come from,” Jacob Vance, undecided freshman, said.
Burleson also said she hopes Fulbeck will address the topic of mixed race acceptance, but she also said,“I hope he elaborates more on his artwork, his inspirations, and ways to promote your own artwork”
Xhori Duncan, nursing sophomore, said she felt Fulbeck was about as exciting as RJ Mitte, the most recent speaker in the Artist Lecture Series who managed to bring in a crowd of 200, a sentiment also professed by Burleson and Vance.
“They both seem like very capable speakers to inspire something to those who come watch them,” Vance said.
The event will be held at 7 p.m. in Akin Auditorium. Members of the general public must pay $20 per ticket to attend, but students and staff can attend for free with their campus ID. Additionally, Fulbeck will be in the Juanita Harvey Art Gallery from 3-5 p.m. for an opening reception.