POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The College of the Ozarks Center for Faithful Arts will host a micro-residency recital at 7 p.m. April 1 in the Newman Recital Hall in the Gittinger Music Center The concert is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Center for Faithful Arts at College of the Ozarks will welcome Dr. Mark Franklin, professor of piano at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. An accomplished musician and educator, Franklin previously collaborated with College of the Ozarks Professor of Music, Dr. Clara Christian, during the summer of 2025 at the Excelsior Piano Academy in Sondershausen, Germany, a Christ-centered piano festival attended by C of O students and alumni.
“Dr. Franklin is a wonderful musician, it is truly a delight to be able to host him on campus,” Christian said.
During his visit, Franklin will present selections from his doctoral research, focusing on sacred themes in piano literature. His residency will center particularly on the works of the renowned Christian pianist and composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886), offering students and faculty an opportunity to engage deeply with both the artistic and spiritual dimensions of Liszt’s music.
The Center for Faithful Arts supports College of the Ozarks in its mission to engage culture by encouraging and equipping Christian artists in their pursuit of excellence. Through initiatives like this residency, the Center fosters thoughtful dialogue at the intersection of the arts and theology, creating opportunities for students to hear, see, and learn from artists whose work reflects both skill and conviction.
Franklin’s presence on campus reflects the Center’s ongoing commitment to enriching the academic community through meaningful encounters with distinguished artists of faith.
About The Center for Faithful Arts
Established in 2023, the Center for Faithful Arts promotes the creation of art as an act of worship. It exists to engage culture by encouraging and supporting artists of Christian faith in their pursuit of artistic excellence and by providing opportunities for dialogue between the arts and theology. Under the direction of Dr. Rusty Osborne, professor of biblical and theological studies, the Center supports student and faculty exploration in visual, fine, and interpretive arts. The center hosted its first major event, the Festival of Arts, in April 2024, drawing students, faculty, and community members for performances, exhibits, and discussions on the role of faith in the arts.