"Humorous," "uneasy," "absurd." These are just a few words that may come to mind when viewing artist Natalia Chavarría's thought-provoking video Conversation (2019). The first time ever shown in large format, the work presents intricate narratives of femininity, identity and community.

The University of Maryland Art Gallery collects, displays and interprets art from diverse cultures. Its exceptional teaching collection—which ranges from antiquity to the present—allows students, faculty, and the surrounding community to learn about art from around the world in one building.

About NextNOW Fest

Started in 2014, The Clarice’s annual NextNOW Fest is an inspiring arts experience that celebrates imagination, creativity and community. By amplifying the voices of intriguing, inventive artists from around campus and our community, NextNOW Fest creates a forward-looking microcosm where art transforms our future and connects us all.

NextNOW Fest is a signature event in University of Maryland's Arts for All initiative, which leverages the combined power of the arts, technology and social justice to address the grand challenges of our time.

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Funding

NextNOW Fest is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council and The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. Additional support is provided by Terps After Dark and the University of Maryland's Arts for All initiative. NextNOW Fest's Silent Disc-Glo event is supported by UMD's Student Entertainment Events; and the Vital Signs Mini-Grants Showcase is supported by the Venable Foundation and Pepsi.