Events | Heller Center for Arts & Humanities

Welcome Back Outdoor Movie Night

Thursday, August 27 * 8pm

Come join us as we welcome back students, faculty, and staff to our Outdoor Movie Night showing of Superman.

PG ‧ 1978 ‧ Family/Adventure ‧ 2h 7m

***Due to the possibility of inclement weather, Outdoor Movie Night will be moved to the Heller Center Main House if weather conditions become unfavorable.

Dot Days Community Festival: Our Place in Nature

Thursday September 3 - Sunday September 13

Events will be held both at the Heller Center and at several partner locations around town. All events are free and open to the public but require registration. For full schedule and links to registration please visit: https://heller.uccs.edu/dot-days-calendar .

Visiting Authors Series

TUESDAY, September 29 * 6pm

Join us for a talk by award-winning creative nonfiction author Brenda Miller!

Part of the Visiting Author Series.

Fall Salon Series

Thursday, October 15 * 6pm

The Story of a Chinese Dragon that Merged with the Earth and the Sun in Mexicali

Dr. Edgar Cota-Torres
Professor, Department of Languages & Cultures

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 led to significant Chinese migration to Mexico, particularly to border cities like Mexicali, founded in 1903. Chinese immigrants profoundly shaped Mexicali’s development, culture, and distinctive fusion cuisine, leaving a legacy that continues to attract tourists.

A draft paper will be available closer to the date of the talk.

2026 Heller Fellowship: Indigenous practice and heritage

Thursday, October 22 * 6pm

Sam Aros-Mitchell

Juya Nokakomea (The Talking Tree)

The UCCS Heller Center for Arts & Humanities is pleased to announce the selection of Sam Aros-Mitchell as the recipient of the 2026 Heller Fellowship with a focus on Indigenous practice and heritage. Aros-Mitchell's two-week fellowship will culminate in a public presentation at Heller of a work in progress. Join us for this exciting event!

**photo credit: Heidi Eckwall

See more of Sam Aros-Mitchell's work here

Fall Heller Fellow Presentation

Thursday, November 5 * 6pm

Drifting Yawn Valley

Join us for a talk and performance by our Fall Fellow, Andrew Weathers, a Pueblo-based composer, improviser, and intermedia artist!

Visiting Author Series

Thursday, November 12 * 6pm

A Night with Brave Irene's: Get Lit!

Join us for an evening with local literary non-profit Brave Irene's to celebrate innovative regional literacy programming. More information coming soon!

Part of the Visiting Authors Series

Heller Residency Lecture

Thursday, December 3 * 6pm

Rematriating Queen Obereah: The Teeth of Moanaic Women Warriors

Please join us for a talk by Dr. Ilaheva Tua'one (Assistant Professor, Department of Women's & Ethnic Studies), the 2026-2027 Heller Resident!

“Rematriating Queen Obereah” is a feminist revision of history of stories told about Queen Obereah of Tahiti, the first such named Queen during the voyages of Cook, Bougainville, and Wallis between the years 1768-1776. “Re-matriation,” as opposed to repatriation, returns the land to the people, rather than returning the people to the land. Dr. Tua'one examines and retells Queen Obereah’s relationship with the naturalists on board Cook’s ships (including Sir Joseph Banks) and scrutinizes written accounts that colored the queen as a libertine and whore, rather than a woman in full control of her sexuality, celebrating Queen Obereah’s strength, agency, and sovereignty.

A link to the chapter will be provided closer to the talk date.

Exhibit Opening

Saturday, December 5 * 4 pm

Community-curated exhibit opening in the Heller Gallery.

More information coming in October!

Student Study-In

Saturday, December 12 * 3-6 pm followed by a movie

Save the date! We'll provide treats and hot beverages as well as a quiet place to study with lots of comfy seating. At six we will host a movie screening.

More information coming soon!

All programs are free and open to the public

Visit our Directions page to get details on our location.

Please go to our Facebook page for last-minute announcements.

Questions? Please call (719) 255-6277