Holding more than 300 pieces of his work, Grand Valley State University is honoring artist Cyril
Lixenberg for his generosity and friendship on Oct. 8 with a dedicated musical performance.

Lixenberg is a contemporary Dutch artist whose sculptures and screen prints are exhibited throughout
GVSU’s campuses. GVSU currently holds the largest collection of Lixenberg’s works anywhere, with
new gifts of paintings and works on paper spanning his early career as a struggling and evolving artist
from the mid-1950s to the present being presented during the Exhibition.

Dale Schriemer, head of the voice area, artistic director of GVSU Opera Theatre, and associate
professor of music at GVSU, has worked to put this performance together.

“No artist has been more generous to GVSU than Cyril,” Schriemer said. “Over the years I have met and
known him and I want to be as generous to him as he is with us.”

Lixenberg’s favorite music genres, jazz and baroque, aren’t as easy to find in Michigan as they are in
Amsterdam, Schriemer explained.

“The reason for doing this particular recital, called “Music for Cyril,” is to play all the music that Cyril
listens to,” Schriemer said. “It’s something personal, something artistic and something meaningful.”

Even though Lixenberg won’t be able to attend the recital, the performance will be filmed and sent to
him in Amsterdam.

“The music was specially selected by Prof. Schriemer for Lixenberg,” said Henry Matthews, art curator
for the university. “It will be performed in the gallery for Cyril as a surprise to him.”

It’s a fun performance because it’s an interesting use of space and performing in a gallery with
Lixenberg’s work all around educates students, Schriemer said.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work of Cyril with some of our most talented young
performers,” said Robert Byrens, piano accompaniment for the student singers. “I am always looking
for opportunities for student performance, so it’s hand and glove. I want students to have stage time
and I want Cyril to have a gift.”

Gabriel Reitemeier, a student performer studying vocal performance at GVSU, was asked to perform at
the recital. His pieces include “Love Sounds the Alarm” and “Gentle Airs Melodious Strains,” by George
Frideric Handel.

The university highly values accessibility to art, so it makes sense that they should celebrate it,
Schriemer said.

“I love the fact that Fall Arts highlights unique and noteworthy art making, and to celebrate art as
artists is a wonderful thing for our community and for our university,” Schriemer said.

The performance will take place at 8 p.m. in the GVSU Art Gallery, 1121 Performing Arts Center. More
information about the Lixenberg exhibit can be found on the GVSU website.

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