DURHAM, N.C. - During Duke Arts Weekend Nov. 6 and 7, student artwork -- including painting, photography, poetry, sculpture, performance, digital art, music and film -- will be on display in a public exhibit throughout Duke University's Bryan Center and plaza.

In addition, Duke alumni in the arts, entertainment and media industries will participate on discussion panels about careers in the arts.

"This weekend highlights the place of the arts as a critically important facet of student life at Duke," said Scott Lindroth, vice provost for the arts. "The arts are core to learning and our alumni show that successful careers can come from a deep, lifelong engagement in the arts."

A jury of students and arts department faculty will select visual artworks to exhibit in the Bryan Center's Louise Jones Brown Gallery throughout November.

An exhibition of work by student from Durham's Y.E. Smith Elementary School will also be on display. Duke junior Will Passo initiated "Draw Your Picasso" project to connect local public school students with the Duke Arts Weekend and Picasso exhibition at Duke's Nasher Museum of Art.

In addition, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Bryan Center's Reynolds Theater, the Mary Lou Williams Center will present "Through the Night," a one-man play by Def Jam poet and Obie Award-winning actor and playwright Daniel Beaty. The play explores black stereotypes through the eyes of six black men and is directed by Duke alumnus Charles Randolph-Wright. A question-and-answer session and reception will follow the free performance. Tickets are available at the Duke Box Office; contact 684-4444 or tickets.duke.edu for more information. (The performance contains strong language and may not be appropriate for children under 12).

Duke Arts Weekend is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts, Duke Alumni Association, Duke Career Center, Duke University Union, Office of Student Affairs, Duke Student Government, Arts Theme House, and the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture.

For a complete schedule of events and to register, visit arts.duke.edu or call 684-0540.