Robert Shaye, founder of New Line Cinema, will deliver a guest presentation at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, in Western Carolina University’s Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Sponsored by WCU’s College of Fine and Performing Arts, the lecture will include film clips from director Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which Shaye was responsible for approving, as well as a question-and-answer session. The three installments of the trilogy, in an unprecedented move, were put into production simultaneously and have earned nearly $3 billion worldwide, placing them among the highest-grossing films in history.

The Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts (OICA) is seeking higher student enrollment in their Associate in Fine Arts Program. Located in Cherokee, the OICA offers a twoyear AFA degree that can be used to move to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at a senior institution.

“When OICA reaches 25 students we will become part of Southwestern Community College’s program,” said OICA Program Coordinator Jeff Marley, “and they will support the institute here in Cherokee. Right now we receive start up money from the tribe.

A new exhibit, “Western Carolina University: The Progress of an Idea,” will open with a public reception and special performance Thursday, March 10, at WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center.

The exhibit traces how Robert Lee Madison’s “Cullowhee Idea” in 1893 became the seed that sprouted “normal schools” across North Carolina and resulted in WCU and its mission of service to the region, said Mountain Heritage Center curator Pamela Meister.

The reception, set for 5 to 7 p.m., will feature the premiere performance of “Madison,” a dramatic monologue created by award-winning author, dramatist and Sylva resident Gary Carden. The monologue will be performed by actor Steve Brady from 6 to 6:30 p.m. in the museum auditorium.

Presented by The Overlook Theatre Company