Press Release

August 21, 2023 | By Cole Hatcher

Ohio Wesleyan’s September calendar of public events includes Bishop Backers Fall Community Day and a telescope workshop and weekly skywatches at OWU’s Perkins Observatory. The observatory features a 32-inch Schottland Telescope. (Photo by Paul Molitor)

A Lot to See

Ohio Wesleyan University Announces September 2023 Calendar of Public Events

DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University today announced its September 2023 lineup of public events.

Sept. 5-Oct. 29 – “Personal to Political” and “Abstract Art from the Permanent Teaching Collection,” at Ohio Wesleyan’s Richard M. Ross Art Museum, 60 S. Sandusky St., Delaware. “Personal to Political,” a loaned exhibition from the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California, presents works by 17 artists who capture the personal narratives and political discourses of African Americans across the country. This exhibition of figurative and abstract prints explores history, identity, and spiritual inspiration. At the heart of the show is Paulson Fontaine Press, a fine arts printer, with a roster of internationally celebrated artists including Martin Puryear, Kerry James Marshall, and the Gee’s Bend Quilters. “Abstract Art” invites viewers to learn more about the background, movements, and artistic choices that make abstract art a vital component of the artistic landscape. It includes works by regional, national, and internationally recognized artists such as Willis Bing Davis, Jose Luis Cuevas, Dennison W. Griffith, Edmund Kuehn, Lee Krasner, Kim Lim, Robert Motherwell, and Frank Stella. During the academic year, the Ross Art Museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Ross will be closed for mid-semester break from Oct. 11-13. The museum is handicap-accessible and admission is always free. Call (740) 368-3606 or visit owu.edu/ross for more information.

7 p.m. Sept. 7 – Telescope workshop covering the topics “Telescope Basics – Refractors and Reflectors Use and Basic Maintenance” and “Learning to Navigate the Sky – Using Charts and Apps,” at Perkins Observatory, 3199 Columbus Pike (U.S. 23), Delaware. The observatory is offering workshops in September and October to help participants become experienced telescope observers. Each two-hour workshop will be offered at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. The Oct. 5 event will cover “Binocular Basics – Using Binoculars to Augment Your Telescope Observing” and “Advanced Observing Techniques – Lunar, Deep Sky, and Solar Observing.” Tickets are $50 per person per session, or $80 per person for both workshops. Reserve tickets by calling (740) 363-1257. Learn more at owu.edu/perkins.

8 p.m. Sept. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – Friday night skywatches, at Perkins Observatory, 3199 Columbus Pike (U.S. 23), Delaware. Content varies based on weather conditions, but may include a planetarium show, observatory tours, and stargazing with the 32-inch Schottland Telescope. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 on the day of the event and at the door. Reserve tickets by calling (740) 363-1257. Learn more at owu.edu/perkins.

Noon Sept. 9, with a free 11 a.m. tailgate – Bishop Backers Fall Community Day with free admission to the Ohio Wesleyan vs. Wisconsin-River Falls football game, at Selby Stadium, 45 S. Henry St., Delaware. The day will begin with a free tailgate at 11 a.m. featuring Delaware police officers and firefighters and Ohio Wesleyan Public Safety officers grilling hamburgers and hotdogs outside the stadium. The Bishops-vs.-Falcons game kicks off at noon. Admission is free, but raffles will be held to support Delaware’s Unity Community Center. Learn more at owu.edu/BishopBackers or battlingbishops.com.

7:30 p.m. Sept. 23 – “Scenes!” featuring performances staged by the Theatre Directing Class on the Main Stage of Chappelear Drama Center, 45 Rowland Ave., Delaware. This 30-minute event features new students as actors and may contain adult themes and language. “Scenes!” is presented by the OWU chapter of the Theta Alpha Phi National Theatre Honors Fraternity. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.owu.edu/PerformingArts.

All Ohio Wesleyan public event information is subject to change. For the latest updates, visit owu.edu/calendar or “like” www.facebook.com/OhioWesleyanUniversityNews. For more Battling Bishop athletics events, visit battlingbishops.com.


Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives” and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “Best Colleges” lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.