Arts

Gifted Performers & Creators

In the gallery, the dance studios, the concert hall, the recital hall, and the flexible theatre, a rich and diverse arts season awaits you at Belhaven University.

View the Arts Calendar & Reserve Tickets

Support the Arts at Belhaven

Singing Christmas Tree

This annual event held during the first weekend in December. Started in 1933, the Belhaven Singing Christmas Tree is considered to be the world's oldest outdoor singing Christmas tree tradition. Members of the Belhaven Concert Choir, along with alumni, faculty, and staff, typically perform the outdoor Singing Christmas Tree concert on the first weekend in December. A large new 35 foot tall wooden and metal tree structure accommodates up to 100 singers.

Attend This Beloved Belhaven Tradition

1/3 Student Artists & Performers

One-third of Belhaven’s traditional undergraduate students participate in arts classes and events

Over 50 Arts Events Annually

Dance and music recitals, plays and musicals, film screenings, holiday concerts, and more

4 Art Galleries/Exhibitions

Belhaven’s student artists display their craft in modern, high-tech arts facilities in the heart of campus

"The Art Department at Belhaven is like no other department I’ve seen. The professors truly love what they teach and actively practice in their own art processes. My favorite part about this department is the community student studios! Having the freedom to see what other classmates are working on is an inspiration and a learning tool to better understanding what art is."

Melissa Gentry

"I have grown so much as a dancer and a person here. Not only have I learned a lot about myself, but I have also made many friendships that I know will last long after a graduation. The rigorous training challenged my technique and taught me the value of discipline and perseverance."

Suzie Stolz

"I was deeply impressed by the people at Belhaven when I came to visit. The faculty's passion for teaching and growing us into quality writers was encouraging and inspiring. Belhaven is preparing me for a number of career opportunities."

Martha Krystaponis

"Going to Belhaven showed me that there was so much I needed to discover about myself as a dancer, a person, and a child of God. Within the first week of my freshman year, I realized Belhaven was where I needed to be to mature in my faith, to become confident in who I am, and to be challenged as a dancer."

Alisa Nipp

"I will be able to do what I love, create stories and adventures that influence the world through literature."

Anna Howard

"One of my favorite things about the Dance Department at Belhaven is that it is a place where you can work hard and see considerable and long-lasting growth. I think this is especially important for establishing yourself as an artist in the dance world, and Belhaven is a great place to build these skills. This department taught me strength and determination, and that all it takes is drive and passion to reach your goals."

Natalie Goggans

"My continuous line pieces began with a lingering interest in the doodles my father left around the house while on phone calls, and evolved as I began to explore the potential behind one (or two) line's journey across a surface. They explore themes of gestalt, hyper focus and motivated perception – merging my interest in generative forms and fine detail."

Ben Laws. 2023

"I"ll graduate with a B.A. in Tradigital Studies, with an emphasis in sculpture. I use 3D prints and discarded plastic filament to create abstract sculptures. I'm inspired by metalworkers and emerging technologies, so my work reflects the many possibilities of machines used in unusual ways. I also use unconventional methods of digital photography, such as laser engraving my photos into glass."

Caleb Moak

"From the education, to the family-like relationships, to creating quality films, to having access to top notch equipment, the BU Film Department is truly unmatched! One of my favorite things about our department is that we are offered distinct opportunities to gain real experiences all throughout our time at Belhaven. I have been able to work with the PGA Tour as a Camera Assistant, as as Production Assistant for Lionsgate’s “How The Gringo Stole Christmas” starring George Lopez, was accepted in the Magnolia Independent Film Fest, and offered countless Internship opportunities during undergrad and after!"

Trinity Tubbs

"Because of my degree from Belhaven University, I am...A stronger musician. A prepared teacher. A stronger Christian. A happy student."

Ella Castro

"My favorite thing about the music department is how 2 Corinthians 3:7 is exemplified through our professors. They are fruitful followers of the Lord. As God leads them, they provide insightful, caring, and earnest instruction that has helped me to find freedom in working out my calling."

Kayla Asgaralli

"I chose to attend Belhaven because I wanted to surround myself with like-minded Christians who would build me up and help me in my walk with Christ. Because of my degree, I know that I will be well-prepared to take any job within the theatre world as well as many others outside of the theatre."

Ian Clarke

"I chose Belhaven because I wanted to attend a school that had both Visual Arts and Biblical Studies. After meeting the faculty and seeing how much they cared about every student, I was sold!"

Megan Prosper

"Because of my time at Belhaven, I am gaining knowledge and understanding necessary to make a good, dynamic film. I am also equipped to take something that I love doing and using it to explore the complexity of the world, shed light on the human condition, and show people the Gospel of Jesus."

William Bristow

"I chose to come to Belhaven because I wanted to receive excellent dance training. I was impressed with how devoted to the Lord they were while being committed to train up the next generation to serve the Lord and make a statement with art and excellence."

Kathleen Norberg

"Because of my degree from Belhaven University I will be able to enter the film industry with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in a hypercompetitive industry. I love storytelling, whether it be a film or piece of literature. Everything that I have learned during my time at Belhaven has helped me to better understand not just storytelling, but life itself"

John Byars John Byars

"I chose to come to Belhaven because of the Creative Writing program and its context as a Christian University. All my relationships here have meant a lot to me, but one particular group is the cheerleaders and how they welcomed me into their ranks and worked with my minimal abilities patiently and with much encouragement."

Lex Avellino

"I came to Belhaven because of its accreditation in all of the arts. It is especially helpful since I am a double major in Graphic Design and Theatre. Because of my degree from Belhaven, I will be able to head out into the world with a strong foundation in acting, as well as be well-rounded enough to take on other theatre related jobs."

Mattea Pierce

"I explore my love of nature through both photography and painting. My photographs focus on capturing the hidden and sometimes overlooked features of life. I also paint landscapes and mixed media collages incorporating organic and industrial materials found in every day life."

Haley Franklin

"While success is ultimately up to God, I enjoy creating films and endeavor to create excellent films. I am eager to continue learning about film production while at Belhaven, both in class and through practical experience."

Jonathan Dolansky

Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center

The 42,756-square-foot Bitsy Irby Visual Arts & Dance Center is a best-in-class facility featuring five professional dance studios, a fully equipped dance performance theatre, computer design labs, photography studios and darkroom, painting, drawing and sculpture studios, faculty offices, and a beautiful art gallery.

Angie Thomas ’11, Creative Writing

Award-winning author Angie Thomas earned her BFA in creative writing from Belhaven University. Her first published novel, The Hate U Give, started as her senior project. It debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was adapted into a critically acclaimed film. 

Belhaven Creative Writing on Facebook

After Kris earned his bachelor’s degree from Belhaven, he apprenticed under the famous artist Thomas Blackshear. He’s now an award-winning art director with Penguin Random House, one of the world’s largest publishing houses. Kris and his wife Cheri were co-winners of the 2022 Belhaven Alumni Award for Arts Excellence.

Belhaven Art & Design on Facebook

A Magna Cum Laude graduate at Belhaven, Cheri performs with the Ormao Dance Company and teaches dance in Colorado Springs. In addition, she shares her passion with dance students at the University of Colorado and Ormao’s Dance for Parkinson’s program. Cheri and her husband Kris were co-winners of the 2022 Belhaven Alumni Award for Arts Excellence.

Belhaven Dance on Facebook

Shellie, a principal violinist with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, was appointed as Acting Concertmaster for the 2021-2022 season following nationwide auditions.

Belhaven Music on Facebook

Alberto works in sound design, video production and editing, and live event streaming at NewStage Theatre, Mississippi's only professional/regional theatre.

Creative Writing

Traditional/Digital

Dance

Music

Theatre

Visual Arts

Film Production

Graphic Design

Creative Writing

Traditional/Digital

Dance

Music

The Center for the Arts

The Center for the Arts — home to Belhaven’s music and theatre departments — features piano and computer labs, soundproof practice rooms, a flexible black box theatre, costuming and technical design areas, and numerous teaching studios, classrooms, faculty offices, and performance spaces.

The 800-seat concert hall holds weekly chapel services as well as numerous performances throughout the year.

Academic Degrees: The Scholarly Approach to the Arts

Art + Design

Creative Writing

Dance

Film Production

Music

Theatre

1 of 39 colleges accredited in all of the arts

National Distinction

Belhaven University is one of only 39 colleges or universities in the U.S. nationally accredited in all four major areas of the arts: Visual Arts, Dance, Theatre, and Music.