Inaugural HEART Fest Showcases Student Creativity and Community

The student-led festival brought the Roger Williams University community together through interactive storytelling, performances, and shared experiences across the humanities.

By Kelly Brinza
Students performing Cabaret.
Led by the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts, and Education, HEART Fest engaged the campus community through two days of performances and hands-on programming.

BRISTOL, R.I. – At Roger Williams University, the humanities stepped out of the classroom and into shared spaces across campus as students transformed ideas into interactive experiences during the inaugural HEART Fest.

Led by the Feinstein School of Humanities, Arts, and Education (SHAE), the two-day festival brought together students, faculty, and staff through performances, storytelling, and hands-on programming designed to engage the campus community in new and accessible ways.

Organized largely by students, HEART Fest emphasized both creativity and collaboration, with participants taking on roles that mirrored real-world professional experiences. From coordinating logistics to producing content and covering the event as journalists, students played a central role in shaping the festival’s debut.

For Sarah Price, a sophomore Journalism major from Essex, Conn., the experience offered a direct connection to her future career. As executive producer of Communities of Hope, she helped guide coverage of the festival while gaining hands-on experience in media production.

“It’s great to have that experience and know what I’m going to do one day in the real field,” Price said.

An art gallary.
HEART Fest was an opportunity for audiences to immerse themselves in the performing and visual arts.
Students sitting on the grass.
Members of the RWU community sit on the lawn outside of University Library listening to music and poetry presented by fellow students.
Two students performing in front of an audience.
Two students perform a Fleetwood Mac cover for a crowd sitting in front of University Library.
Student presents poems.
A student presents his literary works to a crowd sitting in front of University Library.
Students performing Cabaret
Performing arts students showcased a condensed version of this year's spring performance of the classic musical "Cabaret."
Rachel Cabral.
Rachel Cabral showcases her research to authenticate a rare firsthand narrative that documents a man’s self-emancipation from slavery.
An art gallary.
Students sitting on the grass.
Two students performing in front of an audience.
Student presents poems.
Students performing Cabaret
Rachel Cabral.

First-year student Michelle Stiver, an English Literary Studies major from St. Louis, became involved through her Communications class, taking on a project management role that included organizing materials, coordinating content, and documenting the event through photography.

“It was a hands-on learning experience,” Stiver said, noting that the work reflected the nonprofit-focused projects she grew up around.

For Alex Tavaglione, a senior Journalism major from Woonsocket, R.I., and editor-in-chief of Communities of Hope, the role meant overseeing the broader vision of HEART Fest while helping ensure each piece came together smoothly.

“It’s been so amazing to see all the people across the humanities on campus come together to plan this event,” Tavaglione said. “It’s really nice to come together and have a great time. And when something’s called ‘heart,’ it always feels a little extra special.”

Beyond professional development, students pointed to HEART Fest’s broader purpose: creating space for connection. Unlike more traditional academic showcases, the festival emphasized interaction, accessibility, and shared experience.

“The humanities are at their most important when they interrogate who we are as individuals and members of the community,” said Jeffrey Meriwether, Dean of SHAE. “There is hope and determination in the work of the humanities, and you’ll see many examples of this here.”

Students said they hope HEART Fest continues to grow as a platform for creativity and collaboration across campus.

“It’s a place where people can come together and connect,” Stiver said. “People put a lot of work into what they’re doing, and it’s a great way to see new perspectives.”

With its successful debut, HEART Fest is already taking shape as a new RWU tradition – one built by students, for students.

“We just want it to be a great community-building experience for everyone,” Price said.

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