The Blue Fairy from Pinocchio by Carmen Schein
Las Vegas, N.M. – An exhibition of theater costume concepts by an Albuquerque-based designer are on display at Highlands University’s Kennedy Alumni Hall.
Carmen Schein, who has designed theater costume designs in London and the United States, donated the 47 costume design artworks in the exhibition to Highlands. The designs include costume concepts from Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Rumpelstiltskin and others.
Kennedy Alumni Hall is at 905 University Ave. and the exhibition continues through July 20, with a closing recepti0n that day from 4 – 7 p.m.
“Carmen grew up in London and did costume designs for London theaters before moving to the United States and continuing to design costumes for American theaters,” said Renee Buchanan, the Highlands Foundation art curator and archivist. “Her costume designs are lovely. They are now part of Highlands’ permanent art collection.”
Schein, a native of England, trained as a professional dancer before dancing in Paris for an opera company. Two years after World War II, she immigrated to Washington, D.C.
She first discovered Highlands in 1964 during a trip to New Mexico. Schein, who is also a painter and a sculptor, later opened an art gallery in Santa Fe.
Schein’s history as a donor to Highlands began following the death of her husband. She said she found herself with money to invest and wanted to do something to help youth. In 2000, she established an endowment at the university to fund scholarships for Indonesian students.
In September 2009, Schein was named for Highlands’ Ivan Hilton Award during homecoming for her generosity and positive impact upon the university and its students.
Buchanan said she chose the timing of the art exhibition featuring Schein’s costume designs because it focuses upon fiction for children, and the Missoula Children’s Theatre featuring local youth will perform Peter and Wendy in Ilfeld Auditorium July 21 at 6 p.m.
Ilfeld Auditorium is also on University Avenue just a half block east of the Kennedy Alumni Hall on the opposite (north) side of the street.
The Highlands University Foundation is sponsoring the Theater Design Exhibition. The Kennedy Alumni Hall is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.