Despite being spread out and held in a different format, this year's Kaleidoscope arts festival still aims to live up to its namesake.

“It's supposed to be reflective of a kaleidoscope that we have all of these art forms represented,” said Deanna Sparrow, chairwoman of the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival committee. “We work with the artists on what they would like to do or what they would like to bring to the festival.”

The festival typically takes place near the end of April at Slippery Rock University. But this year it began in February and was held virtually, with its various exhibitions spread out over the course of several months.

According to Sparrow, the university committee that plans the annual festival adapted the exhibits to a virtual format this year for precautionary measures against the coronavirus. Seven different exhibitions were planned this year, and some of the artists who have already presented include Matt Zambrano, a multifaceted performance artist and Kenny Endo, who practices Japanese-style drumming.

Still upcoming is the Writer's Circle, during which a trio of writers will read selections of poetry and children's literature and later participate in a talk-back session with attendees.

Sparrow said the events so far have all been well received, and she hopes the Writer's Circle will also be a draw. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“The events have all had a positive impact on students,” Sparrow said. “I'm looking forward to it, and I'm hoping to see people come out and to get the campus community involved.”

Sparrow said the shift to a virtual festival has changed the usual format of some plans and exhibits, but it has still given artists the opportunity to present, and community members the opportunity to engage with them, which has always been the purpose of Kaleidoscope.

“I think it's wonderful to get the community to engage in the arts,” Sparrow said. “Especially during COVID, the ability to engage has been limited, so I'm glad we're able to give these virtual offerings.”

Also scheduled to perform is Kayleb Rae Candrilli at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Candrilli is a 2019 Whiting Award Winner in Poetry and will present a poetry reading and Q&A session. This event is recommended for mature audiences.

Interested attendees can email Sparrow at deanna.sparrow@sru.edu for login information.