VCUarts-ITW-2009-singlepages by VCUarts

constructive criticism

Inte l l ect

re asoning ob s e rvation me mory refl ective ne s s fore sig ht que stioning

at te ntion to detail

language Cover 1/Front Cover ris k ta king

succe s s failure

inve stigation

wisdom

de lig hT

wit

refine me nt

e xpre s sion

e xpe rime ntation s e lf e ste e m frustration

form

re pos e

comparison circumspection

craftsmans hip

individualit y group inte raction

k nowing

col laboration une xpecte dne s s

dre ams

commitme nt

curiosITY

stre ngth

ambition cre atiVITY

Cover 2/Inside Front Cover

in their wordsâ&#x20AC;Ś

creative

u tr ns

e iv ct

i rit

missed deadline emergency backup reserve

time management

tion experimenta

Arts Honors

idea development

dreams

concerts performances exhibitions

COMMITMENT

call home

flirtation thirst for knowledge

TALENT SKILL

attention to detail

sleep

internships

coffee

eat

VCU basketball memory

humor wit mirth

mentors

intuitive, reasoning, reflective faculties

thoughts of the beach

joy

expression

questions

Belle Isle, Byrd Theatre,

strength

Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charms

SENSE OF THE TERRIFIC study abroad courage

fulfillment

COLLABORATION PROGRESS

VCUarts brain not to scale

individuality

wear sunscreen

form

STUDENT LIFE AT VCUarts How can you know what VCUarts is really like until you’re here? Well… you can’t. But we thought posing the same 13 questions to students from each VCUarts undergraduate major might help. These students are recent recipients of the much-coveted VCUarts Dean's Scholarship. There are similarities in their responses, and as to be expected, many differences. Those who plan to attend VCUarts will find their words and advice enlightening - and we hope - helpful. Enjoy.

CONTENTS What made you decide to come to VCU?

What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

Student Interviews Ada Cooke, Art Foundation 10 Lauren Leigh Hall, Art Education 12 Allison Frew, Art History 14 Ian Edwards, Cinema 16 Cara Frye, Communication Arts 18 Meg J. Roberts, Craft/Material Studies 22 Aaron Burr Johnson, Dance & Choreography 24 Nedim Sudic, Fashion Design 28 Rachel Z. Walters, Fashion Design 30 Whitney Ann Stevens, Fashion Merchandising 32 Karla Mickens, Graphic Design 34 Lauren Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, Graphic Design 38 Linda J. Clark, Interior Design 42 Kirk Zamierowski, Kinetic Imaging 44 Melanie Libbey, Music 46 Katherine Duckworth, Painting & Printmaking 48 William Connally, Photography & Film 50 Anne Schermerhorn, Photography & Film 52 Tim Rusterholz, Sculpture + Extended Media 55 Trevor Dawkins, Theatre 56 What do you wish someone had told you before you came to VCU?

What advice would you give to a new VCUarts Student?

Important VCUarts web sites and contact information

VCUarts is ranked the #1 public university arts & design program in the country (US News & World Report, 2009) For specific department rankings information, visit www.vcu.edu/arts/overview/national_rankings

What made you decide to come to VCU?

It came down to a choice between VCU and another purely arts school. In the end I decided I wanted to have the access to classes, students, and activities that lay outside the arts. I didn’t want to box myself up, and the broad spectrum of opportunities around Richmond really appealed to me. Ada Cooke, Art Foundation

I had heard so much about how excellent the art program was, and I was really excited to experience it firsthand. Also, most all other Virginia institutions are too secluded and the campus environments seem to share a certain aesthetic that I don’t really care for. The experience of being in a city during college I think is an awesome thing and really helps you grow up a lot faster than being secluded off in the middle of nowhere and only being around college students. Kirk Zamieroski, Kinetic Imaging

I heard about the new Cinema program and knew previously about VCU’s reputation. I met with Dean Toscan and was really impressed with everything, so I decided to come. Ian Edwards, Cinema

It’s so great to be a part of this school as it reaches new heights and gains recognition across the country. The teachers here are fantastic, instilling their strong philosophies on the arts and helping us develop our own beliefs on the subject. In addition, my family is important to me. Since my triplet sisters are only eight years old, it’s important that I am still a part of their lives. I am so fortunate to have VCU in my backyard. Because my home is only 15 minutes away, I can go home for a school play, a weekend, or just for dinner. Coming to VCU from the local area has also provided me with many opportunities in using resources from friends and family but also showing others all that Richmond has to offer. Lauren O’Neill, Graphic Design

I made my final decision to come to VCU because of its reputation as a leading art school in the nation, and the opportunity to participate on a Division I track and field program.

When applying for college, I chose VCU because of its location in an urban city relatively close to Washington, DC and the reputation of the School of the Arts. Linda J. Clark, Interior Design

Tim Rusterholz, Sculpture + Extended Media

Honestly, VCU was cheaper than the other schools and they were so great at getting back to me fast. I was looking at VCU and it had an art program that had interesting projects going on. It is also relatively warm in winter. Anne Schermerhorn, Film

VCU is the art education with the most bang for the buck. And the only school that offers fashion design curriculum in Virginia. Rachel Z. Walters, Fashion Design

VCU was a clear choice. A hugely impressive art school for the cost of in-state tuition… pretty compelling. Meg Roberts, Craft/Material Studies (Metal)

I knew that I wanted to go to an art school and VCU was the best option. It was in state, close to home (not too close), and had a great reputation. It was a no-brainer.

The encouraging vibe that I got when I came to audition at the Singleton Center made an education at VCU really appealing to me.

Aaron Burr Johnson, Dance and Choreography

Melanie Libbey, Music (Flute Performance Major)

I was very impressed with the good reputation that VCU School of the Arts has and that made me decide to enroll and study here.

Warm weather, nice people, supportive work environment, cool little city.

Nedim Sudic, Fashion Design

Trevor Dawkins, Theatre

The School of Art’s reputation is amazing, and I felt that my art education here would trump that of the other schools on my list, in addition to my desire to attend a school in the inner city.

I came to VCU because I heard great things about the School of the Arts, and was impressed with the freedom given to the art students.

I knew that I wanted to move away from Tennessee and I knew that I wanted to study art. It is rare that you find a huge university with such a thriving art community, but that wasn’t the only thing that brought me here. VCU has such a diverse campus I think it attracts students who want a different type of college experience. We truly are an international university. You can learn Indian dances right here in the Student Commons if you want to. That’s amazing.

William Connally, Photography

Katherine Duckworth, Painting & Printmaking

Allison Frew, Art History

What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m constantly in awe of the work produced by my fellow students. The students in VCUarts are very gifted, and I love being surrounded by such talent. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s both humbling and inspiring. Ada Cooke, Art Foundation

I have been abroad in Australia, working on a film. I am just now appreciating how high VCU holds its standards and how much it expects from its students. I feel like the world would be a better place if everyone could do the same. It lets you feel like an artist and not hide behind the title of a student artist (after you get out of Art Foundation of course). Anne Schermerhorn, Film

The teachers at VCU continue to impress me. They come from all sorts of backgrounds with different philosophies and experiences. They are inspiring, motivating, and encouraging, bringing insight and opportunity to students while fostering curiosity in a dedicated learning environment. Lauren O’Neill, Graphic Design

I am really impressed by all of the equipment and facilities we have access to, not only just in VCUarts, but throughout the whole university. VCU is like a little city. Everything I need is right here in the Fine Arts building or the library. Melanie Libbey, Music (Flute Performance Major)

What has impressed me most about my VCUarts experience is the Sculpture department’s ability to allow each student to work towards a variety of individual goals. There is a large range of work being made in many different mediums and I admire my instructors for being able to balance everybody’s needs and develop everybody individually. The work environment and meshing of styles and work habits is impressive. Tim Rusterholz, Sculpture + Extended Media

My professors have made the largest and best impression upon me. Nothing is more exciting than attending a class where the professor is not only interesting, but completely dedicated to their work. Classes are typically very exciting and informative and I honestly cannot get enough of it. If I don’t have class to go to, I get really bored. Allison Frew, Art History

I think several elements work in tandem to make VCUarts impressive. The faculty and the facilities are precisely as they should be and as we students need them to be. The Richmond scene is particularly suited to art making. One can wander, explore, take photos, and find inspiration in a number of places about town. The Richmond art scene, including the plethora of galleries from which to choose, and the proximity of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts are conducive to learning about art. Also, the peer group is astonishingly talented.

The overwhelming power of the artist community here in Richmond has impressed me most. I’ve never experienced a place that is so open to the arts and so interested. Especially in spring semester, it seems as though there is a new visiting artist or performance happening daily, and there’s never a day left where you can’t experience one art form or another. I feel that that the more art you experience, the better artist you’ll become, and I’m extremely impressed with VCUarts’ very apparent understanding of this. Linda J. Clark, Interior Design

I think I have been most impressed by the active careers of my professors! They not only teach all week, but also have incredible work of their own that they exhibit all over the world! When you see that your very own professor is succeeding in the art community, it provides motivation and cultivates a certain level of respect. Meg Roberts, Craft/Material Studies (Metal)

I think that the other students have most impressed me here at VCU. The creativity and skill level of those around me is astounding. In my classes, and when I am able to see student art exhibits, I am so inspired by the progress of my peers. Lauren Leigh Hall, Art Education

I have been very impressed with the guest artists that VCU brings to Richmond. While I have been a student, the dance department has had numerous guest performers and teachers come from out of state and even abroad. These residencies enable the students to get an outside perspective on their work, both technically and choreographically. It helps us see how things are going to be in the “real world.” Equally informative are the performances that these guests provide. I’ve had the chance to see Battleworks Dance Company, The Urban Bush Women, Monica Bill Barnes, Tania Isaac Dance, Miguel Gutierrez and the Powerful People, to name a few. As far as I know, VCU is what brings contemporary dance artists to Richmond. This is impressive. Aaron Burr Johnson, Dance and Choreography

Rachel Z. Walters, Fashion Design

Ada Cooke Art Foundation student from Maryland

ART FOUNDATION PROGRAM | vcu.edu/arts/artfoundation/dept | 804.828.1129

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

Since coming to VCU, I’ve been exposed to many different styles and types of art – of my peers and of contemporary artists introduced to me by my teachers – and I feel that this has had a strong influence on my own work. And I definitely work faster and with more certainty! I feel much more confident about my art. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Tin Salamunic, the instructor for my Project: Communication Arts class really impressed me. He has a ridiculously high work ethic that he was always trying to press onto us. It was daunting, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I came out of that class with a lot of pieces I liked. And from what he showed us, he has a great body of work, and seems to be really successful for someone who just graduated. The class drove me crazy, but once it was over I was really glad for it.

What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

The trip my Art Worlds class took to NYC was probably the most memorable part of my freshman year. It was a hectic marathon of trying to see as much art as possible in such a short time. I wish we could’ve lingered longer, but it was really fun and I absolutely loved it. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

It’s really hard to say… I enjoyed most of my Drawing Studio, especially doing figure drawing, and I also really liked many of my projects in Surface Research and my Project: Communication Arts class. I can’t pinpoint it to any exact piece!

What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I’m absolutely fascinated by foreign cultures and languages. In high school I travelled to Japan as part of a student exchange, and now I’m hoping to spend a summer studying abroad in Italy. I love European history and can’t wait to see some of it firsthand. I’m not very proficient in any other languages, but I’ve dabbled in Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Japanese. Obviously I hope to expand my repertoire to Italian.

I definitely want to study abroad, particularly in Italy. Once you have a full-time job, it can be really hard to find the time and the ability to travel like that. I want to see as much of the world as I can while I still have the time, and study abroad programs are the perfect chance for that. I’m also really hoping to fulfill a global studies minor. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

For most of my life I’ve been the shy, hesitant one, but since coming to college I’ve realized that I shouldn’t worry about what other people think. You need to grab life by the ears – take hold of all opportunities thrown your way – speak up – go out and experience things to their fullest. I often wonder how things would be if I’d always been this spunky person.

I have no idea, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do right now! I’m not absolutely set on anything at the moment, just seeing what opportunities rise and where the road takes me.

ART FOUNDATION

I thought that going through Art Foundation was going to be really hard, and, well, it was, but I had a lot more fun than I thought I would. The atmosphere is really open and relaxing. It’s hard not to enjoy it.

Lauren Leigh Hall Art Education major/Religious Studies minor, from Virginia

Art Education – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/arteducation/dept | 804.828.7154

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

I’ve learned about types of media that I previously had no experience in. Specifically, I have learned a lot about making more sculptural art and I have the skills now to make 3-D forms out of wood, metal, fiber, or other things. I am now also able to make digital designs using Photoshop or Illustrator programs. My abilities have progressed far beyond the basics of drawing, painting, and collage. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

When I came to VCU my first intention was to apply for Communication Arts because I was very confident with drawing and designing. Once I began to study here and explored other options, I was very impressed by the other fields of art. I was even tempted to become a craft major because of the excellent classes I saw being offered there. Ultimately, I went into Art Education because of my love for both art and young people. Conveniently, the Art Ed program has allowed me to take basic classes in most arts disciplines.

What made you decide to come to VCU?

I was enamored with the idea of being in the Arts program at VCU. Also, my sister was in the Graphic Design department at the time and it felt safe to follow in her shoes.

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

My greatest interests are my study of Art Education and expanding my own art knowledge, my friends and family, and most of all learning about and getting to know God. I have other hobbies and interests such as playing guitar, biking, Scrabble, and being outdoors, but these all revolve around my main three: God, people, and art.

What do you wish someone had told you before you came to VCU?

Start saving up your money now. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

I formed a textile sculpture that I called a “prayer web” in the window of a Christian fellowship house on campus. The web was made of many pieces of fabric with individual prayers written on each one sewn together and attached to the window space using strings. The intention behind the piece was to engage students in prayer as a community and it was meant to illustrate how prayer transforms things. So just as the physical pieces of fabric changed the appearance of the windows and covered the space with colored light, so also were the prayers of the students affecting those around them and making change.

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I don’t believe that I realized when I was younger that I had the right to take charge and make a difference in the world. At that time I was still waiting for adults and leaders to set up opportunities so that I could take part in them. It never occurred to me at that time that I could be the catalyst for change and that I could influence the world in a positive, extravagant way.

What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

I simply want to make the most of the time that I have here. I just want to be aware of every opportunity and live each one fully.

I do know that it will involve art and kids and it will be done with the intent to share God’s love with others.

ART EDUCATION

I have had Dr. Burton from the Art Ed department for three semesters and I am very grateful to him for his insightful instruction and dedication to forming competent art educators. Who I am becoming as a teacher has a lot to do with the instruction I have received from Dr. Burton.

Allison Frew Art History major/German, History and Anthropology minor, from Virginia

Art History – BA | vcu.edu/arts/arthistory/dept | 804.828.2784

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

Since I have started my college career, any progression in my work I attribute to my researching skills. I have developed a supreme tolerance to spending countless number of hours pouring over books and jotting notes about interesting and somewhat relevant information, whilst combining these two processes to create something coherent, interesting and informative. I believe this has improved greatly. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

When I took Painting 205, my instructor, Calvin Burton, critiqued in a nonjudgmental way. Every day we would present our paintings and critique them. It was a fabulous exercise and I really looked forward to talking about art and just brushing up on sincere and constructive communication. It was one of the greatest challenges of my life but it was also the most rewarding one I’ve had in college. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Dr. Michael Schreffler has been my advisor since I was a freshman and no matter how often I doubt myself he has always reassures me that I have the ability to do whatever I wish, which is probably a boost of self-confidence that anyone could use when battling the insecurities tied with undergraduate work. Several other professors have helped me realize my potential, such as Dr. Charles Brownell who has inspired me to perform and learn at only the hardest levels. Dr. Peggy Lindauer has encouraged me to open my eyes and be critical of all experiences. Calvin Burton, a former graduate student in painting, was my painting instructor and not only did he encourage me to be confident in my opinion, but also to embrace the world of art history with an eye that can denote method, skill, and perseverance.

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

If I wasn’t going into art history I’d go into financial banking and money management. Few things are more exciting to me than talking about investing and IRAs. If I had realized sooner, I would definitely have saved my money from high school and invested that wisely, and I would probably not be so poor today. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I am very into traveling, photography, painting, art museums, and TED.com What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

Right now I fear that I do not know enough to proceed to graduate school; I wish to reach a level in my learning where I feel confident with any situation that comes my way. I want to understand the wide scope of art history, from start to finish. Until then, I think I’ll be here. What do you hope to do after you graduate?

I am on the fence between museum studies or becoming a professor. I am having difficulty selecting an area of art to put all my time and devotion into, so until then, I’ll be in school.

ART HISTORY

I thought college was suppose to be very difficult and it turns out that if you just pay attention in class and do your readings then everything falls neatly into your lap. Most of the time I feel like college is a walk in the park, and others I feel a bit overwhelmed. The key to college, and I suppose the rest of my life, will be time management.

Ian Edwards Cinema major/Religious Studies (second major), from Tennessee

Cinema Program – BA | vcu.edu/arts/cinema/dept | 804.828.7919

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

My work has become much more mature since coming to VCU. I now have a greater understanding of the cinematic language and the body of work that came before me and have a basis to make much more interesting art that takes into consideration and manipulates what has already been done to create an entirely new image. Aside from that, I have also learned to better work with a team. Making movies is difficult work, which could not be completed without the work of an entire crew. I used to feel that filmmaking was a very private, personal experience, but in the context of making narrative pieces, I have learned that it is a very group oriented task. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

There are many people at VCUarts (faculty and students alike) who are doing very important, timely work and are very excited about it. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

I was afraid that my first couple of years of film school would simply be a rehashing of what I had already learned about film from my high school filmmaking and film studies course. It turned out that this was not the case and that I was immediately able to enrich what I had already learned.

What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

I would have to say the latest production we did is my favorite memory. We shot a film in 35mm with students from La Fémis and their instructors Pierre-William Glenn and Jean-Jacques Bouhon.

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Rob Tregenza has been an incredible inspiration to me. His career has pretty much followed what I ideally want to do with my life.

What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

I shot a film called “With a Capital C” for a friend and fellow student named Michael Leonberger. It was a runner-up at the recent Student Film Festival and I feel it was my best work so far.

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I would have never seen Titanic. Or Pearl Harbor.

I would like to be director of photography for a featurelength film.

What interests you outside of your arts discipline? What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

I hope to become a director of photography. I plan to go on to graduate school and eventually (hopefully) earn a Ph.D. and teach others about the art of cinema.

CINEMA

I read a lot, but there’s no particular theme. Right now I’m trying to digest Thomas Pynchon, which may take the better part of the summer. Lately I’ve been trying to learn the art of being a home bicycle mechanic and I’ve been watching a lot of Seinfeld.

Cara Frye Communication Arts major from Virginia

Communication Arts – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/communicationarts/dept | 804.828.3658

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

When I revisit work from the beginning of my freshman year and compare it to the work that I make now, I not only see an improvement in skill but an improvement in conceptual understanding. As a freshman I found that being creative was the most difficult aspect of being an artist. I grew up in a small town where being artistic was not emphasized and suddenly at VCU I find myself as part of a creative community. This change in environment has been the reason for any improvement of my work.

VCU has the best art program around. I never felt the need to travel out of the state to find another school when there was a great one right here. It was just the right amount of change that I needed. I knew it would challenge me yet I still felt comfortable and safe in Richmond. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

Instructors in the Communication Arts department truly impress me every day. It is such a great opportunity to not only have professional artists teach you but to have them be completely honest with you about your work. It took my first year in the department to realize how important critiques are. The instructors are sincere and do not tend to sugarcoat a critique for the sake of hurt feelings. Being critiqued will always be an aspect of what I do. The amount of time that the faculty take to prepare students for this truly impresses me. It is part of the VCUarts experience that I appreciate the most. How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

I was initially intimidated. I worried that I would feel that I needed to constantly compete with peers. I grew up a big fish in a very small pond and suddenly I was surrounded by people who were far more talented than me. Now I experience a feeling of community. The number of students in our department is relatively small and because of this you become close to your peers and teachers. I feel very comfortable now sharing opinions with them. I am no longer intimidated about being a student along side of very talented people. It is important to have others that will challenge you. It is the only way to improve.

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Jorge Benitez, assistant professor in Communication Arts, has been an inspiration to me. His classes have awakened me and taught me how to speak out rather than shy away as I had previously tended to do. Also, he has made me realize that as an artist it is very important to know about the world around me and pay close attention to what is going on outside of my own personal life. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

Nature, Biology. My favorite thing to do in high school was hike to Connely’s Run, a local creek, and collect data from the small, delicate ecosystem. I participated in a Save Our Streams program where a couple days a week we would monitor activity in the ecosystem by measuring water pH levels, types of insects, fish and so on. Maybe one day I will combine the two and illustrate a wildlife book to document species of insects and plants. What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

The best memory by far is winning the Dean’s Scholarship Award. I was very surprised when I was notified. I called everyone in my family twice. Realizing that I – and my work – are noticed by other people is a great feeling. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

My favorite project as a student was an assignment I received during the fall of my junior year in a painting class taught by Sterling Hundley. We were able to generate one-on-one ideas with him the way that an illustrator might with an art director. It was great coming up with an idea as a team. Sometimes it is almost impossible to generate a really great concept alone.

Continued…

COMMUNICATION ARTS

What made you decide to come to VCU?

Cara Frye interview continued

I learned that working with another mind can be a great thing! Maybe my painting in the end technically was not the best, but it is one of the few that I really feel satisfied with due to a solid, creative and effective concept. What do you wish someone had told you before you came to VCU?

I would not change my knowledge of what to expect about attending VCU if I could go back to summer before my freshman year. I really enjoyed the process of figuring things out on my own. VCU and Richmond are the perfect place to start a new life away from your family. Growing up here over the past three years has made me a much more confident and independent person. What advice would you give to a new VCUarts student?

I would tell them to never let yourself become discouraged. There are so many different personalities at this school. It was intimidating to me when I first got here to be around so many outgoing and talented students. I graduated from high school with friends that I attended kindergarten classes with. VCU was a huge change for me. But, now I have found a great new group of friends that are artists too. I was never able to have this before. There is always someone to help you with projects, idea generation, etc. It is very important to not separate yourself as an art student. I would tell any VCUarts student to go out and be part of the Richmond art community, see what is going on and participate. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

My goal for my senior year is to get a head start with my career. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to have to figure things out the months after I graduate. I hope to have some type of path established ahead of time. I hear from other people how important it is to get your name out there, and to be recognized. I wish that I had listened more carefully before and really started working towards this earlier. I have been able to coast along with work my whole life. Now the gears are going to have to shift, but I am really excited and looking forward to change.

What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

There are many things that I would love to do after I graduate. I am constantly changing my mind about what I want to be. I think that this is a good way to be though, I think that my career will always be in constant motion and evolving with one thing leading to another. I would love to be an art director, freelance artist, teacher, or just continue on to graduate school. As long as I am working with other people and always given the opportunity to solve visual problems, I will be very happy.

COMMUNICATION ARTS

Meg J. Roberts Craft/Material Studies major concentrating in Metal, Art History minor, from Virginia

Craft/Material Studies – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/craft/dept | 804.828.1477

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

I feel like it’s impossible not to progress, especially within the first year of Art Foundation. The rigorous schedule and high expectations really force you to constantly think, create, and push your ideas. Being a Craft major has also helped me refine my work in a major way. A huge emphasis is put on the “craft” of a piece, in addition to high expectations for concept and thought process.

My experience is definitely different from my original expectation. This is mostly because I started Art Foundation hoping to go into Graphic Design. I think this was just because it was seen as the only “valid” way to pursue visual arts and possibly find employment after college. This wasn’t necessarily my belief, but more what others, pre-college, had me believe. It was in Art Foundation that I realized that I hated computers and was much more interested in three-dimensional work that I could physically interact with. So I feel like my original choice of Graphic Design and what I ultimately pursued, Craft, are sort of opposite ends of the spectrum. (Both valid! Just different.) Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

I am reluctant to say this, but my first studio professor in Art Foundation was particularly influential. At the time I found him abrasive and rude. However, his harsh attitude really made me push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. His words still run through my head sometimes when I am working! I guess the most valuable thing I got from him was the ability to be more critical of my work and ideas, which has ultimately made me better at what I do. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I love to play sports and compete! I play on a few volleyball teams at Richmond Volleyball Club. I have also been sailing ever since I can remember. Every summer my dad and I race a small boat on the Chesapeake Bay. I am also a huge fan of eating food. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

I think my favorite project is one much bigger than myself. I had the opportunity to participate in a program called “Radical Jewelry Makeover.” This program basically raised awareness

about the issues surrounding the metal mining industries, including devastating social and environmental damage. This was accomplished through a community project which involved jewelry donations from the Richmond area. These donations (everything from Mardi Gras beads to diamond wedding rings) were transformed and reworked into new, more desirable pieces. It was really exciting to work in the metal studio with everyone at all hours of the night, creating work for a cause. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

My goal is to leave VCU with a body of work and a thread of ideas that will compel me to continue to create work in “real life.” I hope to have a little bit of fun between now and then too. What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

My favorite memories all involve my freshman suite mate, Ashley. I think my ultimate favorite is when she came to my class wearing the prosthetic butt made especially for her. She worked it. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

I kind of want to continue going to school. I hope to go to graduate school, or even pursue another degree somewhere else. I don’t really know what kind of “work” I will do. I feel like I should just pursue what I want and the rest will fall into place.

CRAFT/MATERIAL STUDIES

How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

Aaron Burr Johnson Dance & Choreography major/Marketing minor, from Virginia

Dance and Choreography – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/dance/dept | 804.828.1711

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

I came to VCU Dance with the intention of developing choreographic skills because I thought it was too late for me to become a “dancer.” By that I mean a professional with whom choreographers ask to work, not someone who dances as a hobby. Aside from being asked to dance by student, faculty, and guest choreographers, there are certain days where I can just feel my bones, muscles, and brain making connections to one another. When it happens, you can hardly believe what your body is actually doing. It’s definitely a gradual process, though. Some days you’ll do something and then remember, “I couldn’t do this a month ago!”

Coming out of high school, I thought that I was going to be either a biologist or an orthodontist. I decided to come to VCU as a dance major because I wasn’t particularly passionate about biology or orthodontics and I was really enjoying the extra-curricular dance classes that I was taking. In retrospect, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into. Absolutely no idea. It was a risky decision but a perfect fit. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Dr. James Frazier. I have had him as a professor for Ballet History, Modern Dance History, and African American Presence in American Dance, Performance, and Social Contexts. The information that I have taken from his classes has found its way into my views about choreography, technique, art and the importance of dance in everyday life. He really makes his students question the art form and the way in which its history has been recorded and taught. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I’ve always loved gardening and watching things grow. I probably developed this love as a kid when my mother watched me as she gardened. I would collect bugs and put them in jars that I had fashioned as terrariums. Now I just have potted plants and a fish tank. I also love preparing food. I was given a juicer recently and have been juicing everything in sight. I’d juice my own hand if it wasn’t attached to my body. Dogs are very important, too. My family has a beagle named Betsy that

I miss very much. Luckily, there is a small park outside of the dance building. People bring their dogs to the park and I’m not shy about scratching behind a few puppy ears. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

At one point, I was a Boy Scout. I dropped out as a Life Scout, one rank away from the illustrious Eagle Scout rank. I’m not heartbroken about it, but I think it would be funny to be known as the modern dancer who is also an Eagle Scout. Nevertheless, I still carry around my Swiss army knife and am a good source for outdoorsy information. I know my knots and first aid. What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

There was one afternoon when some religious fanatic was on campus spewing his agenda at students outside the dining hall and the library. He accumulated a crowd of heated students that were arguing with him. Three other dance students and I took the opportunity to perform an improvised dance on this “stage” that he had set up. After a while, some people in the crowd began to notice and started watching us instead of the evangelist. Some strangers even joined in and others gave compliments. It was like we were breaking up a fight that had no purpose.

Continued…

DANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY

How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

Aaron Burr Johnson interview continued

What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

This past spring, I served on the Student Concert Committee. This was the first fully produced dance concert at VCU that featured work created, performed and selected solely by the student body. The committee did everything that the faculty normally does in preparation for a dance concert. This included organizing the adjudication process, designing a poster, publicizing the show, making sure the choreographers and dancers knew their obligations. We did have a lot of guidance from the faculty but were told that if something didn’t get done, they wouldn’t cover for us. The whole process was meant to be a preparation for our Senior Project Concert, which is the culmination of our work in VCU Dance. Two dances that I worked on were also chosen by the adjudication committee to be presented in the concert.

My post-graduation plans change by the minute. As of now, I plan on continuing my dance training in New York City at the Merce Cunningham School. In New York I hope to dance for choreographers whose work I find to be stimulating both mentally and kinesthetically. I also will be presenting my own work in some capacity.

What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I’ve had this idea for a while of getting a group of art students together that presents improvisational performances around campus. I’d love to finally get it organized this upcoming year.

DANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY

Nedim Sudic Fashion Design major (â&#x20AC;&#x153;my one and only loveâ&#x20AC;?) from Bosnia and Herzegovina; relocated to Richmond in 2004

Fashion Design and Merchandising – BFA and BA | vcu.edu/arts/fashion/dept | 804.828.1699

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

Major progression that I have made was the construction of the actual garments. Before I started in the fashion program at VCU my work has always been stronger on paper than in cloth. Fine art was one of my father’s passions and he used paint mostly in oil and oil pastels, so I grew up around paint, art books and art galleries and I could draw before I could walk. Even though I had a lifelong fascination with fashion, my ideas about creating it have been much different than they are now. I can call myself a fashion designer now. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

In all the classes that I have taken, not just in the fashion department, but also general education classes, I had really great experiences with all the professors. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Professor Linda Lee is my great inspiration. Her passion for students and knowledge about all things fashion is just great. She is constantly pushing us to develop as great designers, and she always has a great word of advice whether it’s related to fashion or just life in general. I could not be happier to have her as one of my professors. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I hate to admit it but not much, really. I do like to visit museums in Richmond and DC from time to time, but aside from that, all my interests are in fashion. I breathe it, sleep it, dream it, eat it, it’s what I live for. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

I would not change anything. Sometimes I think about some events in my life that I would rather forget, but ultimately these experiences and events have brought me here and made me what I am today. I always try to look forward rather than back.

What is your favorite memory (memories) so far at VCU?

One of my favorite memories has to be one night right before our garments were due for jury and a whole group of us had been in the studio for two straight days and at some point we just all started performing Mad TV skits and laughing to tears. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

I think it was a dress I made in Art Foundation. It was a self-assigned project and I made this dress out of paper, plastic, wood and metal and it was even wearable because I remember having one of the girls try it on for me. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

A lot of things actually, but I’m starting to realize how time constrained I am. I would definitely like to create a great collection, organize a great senior fashion show, and leave the rising seniors inspired to organize an even better fashion show the following year. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

Ideally I would like to start working for a company small enough where I can learn all the ins and outs of the fashion industry and then eventually start my own label. Tomorrow.

FASHION DESIGN

I was very impressed with the students, especially the fine art students. The strength and passion with which these people work is very inspiring.

Rachel Z. Walters Fashion Design major/Art History minor, from Virginia

Fashion Design and Merchandising – BFA and BA | vcu.edu/arts/fashion/dept | 804.828.1699

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

Before I came to VCU I had a somewhat narrow view of art. I wasn’t well read on many current working artists. Having to research and write about contemporary art practices opened my mind to the possibility of combining media to create something new. I learned that I could combine my love for storytelling, painting and clothing design by making sets with puppets and then documenting my tableaus with photography or video; art forms that I hadn’t explored before coming to VCU. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Matt King seems to be the most thoughtful, talented, and organized teacher. He has a knack for explaining projects and techniques, giving lectures and running critiques. I was inspired to work at the top of my game for his class because I respect his art and his teaching method. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I find musical theater riveting. It combines so many fields of art and design which fascinate me - writing, composing, set design, costume design, and performance. It’s a culmination of many types of creative processes, and when done well, can be really effective in captivating an audience.

What are your favorite memories so far at VCU?

My favorite memories include staying up all night in the Art Foundation building working on a project with my music blaring down the hall. Also, seeing the student show at the Anderson Gallery and realizing that my peer group is astounding and picking up my portfolio and finding out I won the Dean’s Award. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

My favorite piece I’ve made was a nine foot wooden foundobject sculpture based on a character of my invention. It was bright gold and covered with things I scavenged from dumpsters (which wasn’t as gross as you think, they were all on top). It was a commentary on both the ironic beauty of superficial objects in everyday life and the true beauty of the deeper meanings we associate with those things. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I want to show a collection of works in a gallery downtown. I want to win more awards and scholarships. I want to maintain, and maybe even amp up the level of energy with which I attacked my freshman year. Most importantly, by the time I graduate I want to be able to make a collection of clothing that resembles wearable poetry or music. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

There are so many embarrassing things, so I’ll stick with something simple: I would save all of my allowances, Christmas, Hanukkah, and birthday money over the span of my life and put it in a high interest bank account or CD for use now.

If I don’t chicken out, I want to move to New York and work in the fashion industry until I have enough experience and capital to open my own business as a clothing designer. If I ever have time on the side, I will continue to paint and make my funny little musical theater productions.

FASHION DESIGN

When I was told that Art Foundation would consist of four core studio classes, I thought that within each area of study, class time would consist of specific technique training. For instance, I expected to be taught to paint in Surface Research. I was surprised that we were mostly assigned projects and left to do whatever we could with what we already knew. If we wanted specific instruction, we were expected to ask for it. Things were a little different in Space Research, where we were shown techniques for wood working, for which I was grateful. It probably just boils down to which teacher you get.

Whitney Ann Stevens Fashion Merchandising major from Virginia

Fashion Design and Merchandising – BFA and BA | vcu.edu/arts/fashion/dept | 804.828.1699

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

My work in and out of VCU has increasingly progressed in my three years at VCU. I have built lifelong relationships, taken on new challenges, and enjoyed what Richmond has to offer. I have worked at least 20 hours a week in Carytown, for two years at Annette Dean and now I’m at Can Can Brasserie. I have stayed on track with my major and recently participated in the annual VCU Fashion Show. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy this past fall and traveled to other countries as well. This summer I interned at Movie Star, a lingerie company, and Marc Jacobs in New York.

The communication has been excellent through e-mail and personal contact. Additionally, all the events that circulate throughout the Fan with the Anderson Gallery, First Fridays, etc. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

Nothing is how I plan or picture. Each year there are new surprises. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Each faculty member in the fashion department has a distinctive personality. Ms. Videtic is straightforward and intimidatingly sharp. Ms. Caskey is off-beat in an intriguing way and I listen to whatever she has to say. Ms. Guthrie is one of the most put-together beings I’ve ever encountered. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I have always enjoyed tennis and being outdoors. More importantly, I like to discover what is unknown to me and I am very open to trying new things.

What are your favorite memories so far at VCU?

Gosh, I believe the memories I have at CanCan with cookouts, going away parties, birthdays, etc. could last me a lifetime – but I do remember the first time Tyler (my boyfriend of over a year) winked at me. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

I would probably like to pick up another major/minor even more geared towards what I am interested in.

Digital Thread, the VCU Fashion Show was perhaps the best project. At least I hope so. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

I hope to work for a fashion-oriented company or a publication that is forward-thinking and is in a positive environment.

FASHION MERCHANDISING

What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

Karla Mickens Graphic Design major from North Carolina

Graphic Design – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/graphicdesign/dept | 804.828.1709

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

Education in general is supposed to expand the mind and be a challenge. I will say my experience at VCU has been just that. I think differently than before and I am using different methods to solve problems in all of my classes. What made you decide to come to VCU?

The one and only reason I came to VCU was for the art school. Even after I decided to attend, I had no idea it was ranked. When I toured the Art Foundation building I was definitely sold. The studio space really attracted me. There was student artwork on every wall. What has impressed you most about VCU?

I am impressed with the openness and freedom. Being an art major is pretty cool and rewarding. I can’t see myself doing anything else. I am also impressed by the diversity within the school. The different ethnicities at VCUarts add to the success of the school. It is a great place to learn and build on your individual strengths.

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Many faculty members have helped me and given me tons of great advice and help throughout my years at VCU. It’s hard to acknowledge just one. So I will say the entire faculty in the Graphic Design department and the MFA students. My classmates have also been one of my main sources of inspiration. I learn a great deal from them. They make me happy and proud to be a Graphic Design major. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I didn’t know exactly what to expect. I came from a high school that couldn’t care less about the arts. There were not that many people into art so I was completely shocked when I stepped foot into my first Art Foundation class. Students had pink, blue, and orange hair. Some had large gauges in their ears. It was a totally different atmosphere, but I loved it. What do you wish someone told you before you came to VCU?

I thought I would have lots of money in my pocket because I didn’t have to buy a lot of textbooks and clickers. That was before I realized how much money I had to spend on art supplies. My advice would be to save up early and always be on the lookout for great deals on art supplies. Last year I came across a store that was having 75% off all art supplies. You better believe I stocked up. What advice would you give to a new VCUarts student?

Being an art major is very time consuming. Work hard and be diligent. It will all pay off in the long run. Oh yeah… don’t forget to have lots of fun.

It’s hard to think outside of graphic design when I eat, sleep, and breathe it 24/7. One thing I do enjoy doing is traveling, but since I’m a broke college student I just dream of the places I will travel someday. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

If I could do go back and do anything, I would have played basketball and practiced a lot more at it. What are your favorite memories so far at VCU?

One of my fondest memories is when I won first place in the AFO Student Show in 2006. That was one of the greatest days of my life. I certainly didn’t expect to win. I was happy with just having my work in the show, but winning that award was the best way to end a year of hard work. It was the cherry on top. One day I will never forget happened at the end of my sophomore year. We were having portfolio reviews and we had to set up our portfolio at a certain time during the day. It

Continued…

GRAPHIC DESIGN

How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

Karla Mickens interview continued

was set in my mind that the portfolios were due that Tuesday but as I was walking across campus I ran into a classmate who told me portfolios were due that day. I quickly ran into the Pollak building to find that they were in fact due, and there was only 15 minutes left to set up portfolios. So I ran back to my dorm and grabbed my portfolio, which thankfully I did the night before. I got back, only to find the doors shut - no more portfolios could be set up. I dropped my work on a bench nearby. I had no idea what I was going to do. I immediately thought I would be kicked out of the program and I would have to go home and become a janitor. Nevertheless, Anne Graves, the department administrative director, who works very hard for the Graphic Design department, allowed me to set up my portfolio. I can laugh about this now but on that particular day I believe I cried at least five times.

What is your favorite or best project that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve contributed to as a student?

As an intern at Advanced Energy in Raleigh, NC one of my projects was to strategize marketing techniques for sustainable living and energy efficiency. It was awesome to be a part of this move towards creating a world that is more productive with less energy consumption. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

I hope to work in a design firm for a few years and get some valuable experience. Maybe after working for other people I will have gained enough knowledge to open my own firm. I want to be somewhere where my strengths can blossom and I can learn something new every day. Hopefully I will do well enough that VCU will ask me to come and be a guest lecturer. That would be the day.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Graphic Design major/University & Art Honors, from Virginia

Graphic Design – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/graphicdesign/dept | 804.828.1709

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

The details make the design. Over my last three years, I have really refined my craft with meticulous hand skills. By also exploring media and developing a true understanding of these materials, I have learned the most suitable elements for particular projects. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

College is what you make it. There have been ample opportunities for me to push myself continuously, achieving things I would have never imagined. Participating in a number of activities and being involved within the school has been incredibly rewarding as well. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Jamie Mahoney has been truly inspirational. With a background in art direction for one of the leading advertising agencies in the country, she lends her knowledge and experience to the classroom. Her real world assignments push us into the community by collaborating with others, including exceptional opportunities to work with real clients. Likewise, she plans many field trips and workshops to bring students and professionals in the industry together. She is extremely concerned with each student’s growth and potential, expecting students to go above and beyond while providing critical feedback. Her knowledge of the history of graphic design is also incredibly valuable. As my Letterpress and History of Visual Communication teacher (in addition to leading a number of my favorite classes), Jamie delves into the history

and early practices of graphic design, encouraging students to learn from the past while incorporating new perspectives through exploration and play. Jamie’s passion and dedication to graphic design are contagious, spreading excitement, knowledge, and experience to her students. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

Time spent outside my discipline is incredibly valuable to my work. In my free time I enjoy baking and cooking. Growing up in the kitchen (my dad has a culinary background and my grandmother has a love of baking) I have learned the importance of sharing a good meal with the ones you love. We love to celebrate holidays and special occasions with memorable dinner parties. Birthdays and celebrations are complete with delicious home cooked meals, handmade invitations and decorations, and lovely arrangements. Growing up, I was also absorbed in shows, magazines, and books about culture, home, and garden. I love HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, Fine Living Network, TLC, Martha Stewart, Project Runway, or Top Chef…anything! Dancing, sailing, traveling, reading, and photography have also provided me with insight into culture, as well as inspiration. The great thing about a field in the arts is that inspiration can come from everything, so being observant, learning about your surroundings, and taking it all in are all incredibly valuable exercises. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

I would love to spend more time with my family and friends. If I could go back, I would be more involved in my sister’s activities and be there for all the family functions and outings.

Continued…

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Concept drives the idea and design. At VCUarts, I have found a way to integrate my background in academics with my passion for design. Because observation and research are so important to finding inspiration and seeing the world in a creative way, my background in analyzing data and literature has provided me with the ability to develop strong conceptualization skills. Discovering relationships and connections within the world is the foundation of my love for art and design. In addition, I have found a way to integrate my hobbies and interests into my field of design, making my education and the work that I produce personally gratifying. Through its encouraging teachers and their challenging assignments, VCU has really allowed me to explore and develop this passion.

Lauren O’Neill interview continued

What is your favorite memory (memories) so far at VCU?

Favorite memories, there are too many to count! Because schoolwork is often very involved within the School of the Arts, classmates turn to close friends, sharing the stress and celebration of projects. With such a passion for art and design, my friends and I take every opportunity to delve deeper into our field, taking trips to see lectures, watch films, tour design firms, meet with other designers, and get involved. I cherish all these experiences as they have truly made my college life memorable, and incredibly rewarding. Trekking to New York City with two close friends, we spent three glorious days touring art museums and galleries, immersing ourselves in the culture and offerings of the big city. We’ve turned it into an annual affair, and I can’t wait to go back this year! What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

So many of the projects are reflective pieces that provide insight into ourselves. By learning about yourself, you are able to produce quality work that you are passionate about. Likewise, knowing who you are as a creator is incredibly important in collaborating with others, therefore everyone’s styles and best qualities are represented.

What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

In getting more involved with the community, I have really enjoyed collaborating with others. In Jamie Mahoney’s Letterpress class, we teamed up with poets in our community and from across the country to produce a beautiful, handmade book. Each student created a spread to illustrate the poem using traditional means of production—wood and metal type. The process of putting the book together was informative and eye-opening to the roots of graphic design and bookmaking. Also, it was rewarding for both students and poets to have a published piece.

I look forward to digging my hands into a number of design fields, bouncing between graphic and perhaps interior design (and maybe even fashion design). To me, design is about fostering all sorts of relationships—between elements within a work, or among members of the community. Design is all around us, we live our lives in it. So, by creating pieces that provide innovation and a fresh perspective, I want to produce meaningful and thoughtful work. I want to affect people’s lives.

What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

Being involved within the school has opened many doors, providing tons of areas of exploration. Being engaged in the Student Government Association, VCUarts Student Advisory Task Force, and a number of other activities, I have been heavily involved in the VCU Green campaign to make our campus more environmentally friendly. In doing so, I’ve loved seeing the change around VCU and in our community. Before

I graduate, I am hoping to get more by bringing Richmond and VCU closer through creative endeavors. There are a number of projects I want to head up including a community garden and perhaps a resource center for student and area designers.

Pursuing an education in the arts is really about learning how to solve problems effectively. VCUarts has really prepared me to tackle any task and provide a creative and appropriate solution.

I hope to move to New York and immerse myself in the culture and arts while working in publishing, perhaps for a magazine. Maybe work for a firm for a little bit, then attend graduate school to further explore my passion for design and return to Richmond, perhaps to teach and raise a family. I have a long list of career goals, dreams, and aspirations, but I am eager to see where life takes me!

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Linda J. Clark Interior Design major/Business minor, from Washington, DC

Interior Design – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/interiordesign/dept | 804.828.1713

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

My work has progressed to a more reflective and sophisticated level of analysis and completion. My work is stronger because it has more of a foundation supported by indepth research applicable to my design solutions. In my design process, my work addresses solving a problem by means of creativity, innovation, and understanding the need for such a change or improvement. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

There is ample attention given to students, where our growth can be measured and creativity fostered on an individual basis. The student-to-teacher ratio is lower than expected in such a large university. There is no anonymity in my department which allows me to receive the most suitable guidance and attentiveness to grow and develop as an individual. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Ruth Baker-Westervelt and W. Kevin Wyllie, assistant professors in Interior Design, are two faculty members that inspire me. Their professional work is innovative, and as teachers, they push me to think outside the box, always taking it to the next level. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

My interests outside of my arts discipline include engineering, technology, painting, music and aspirations of helping the community.

of 2007, I was selected along with twelve other students, to represent the School of the Arts from Richmond in an international design charette and conference on sustainability across design professions. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

My favorite project is the Gathering Booth and Café design for the School of the Arts. This design project was developed in my junior interior design studio. The project’s objectives were to design a café that serves to brand the Pollak building as the home for the School of the Arts. The design displays students’ work from various departments, making them visible to passersby on Harrison Street. ReFresh Café contains seating for 32 patrons, serving light snacks, sandwiches, coffee and fruit beverages. It is equipped to accommodate students and today’s technology. Vibrant colors and materials energize the community, and large panels of architectural glass define the café’s limits while offering a visual connection between the café’s interior and the surrounding environment. Commonly used materials in this space include wood, stainless steel, glass, plexi-glass, and cable systems for lighting and art displays. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

If I could go back and do something differently in my life, it would be to live a healthier lifestyle. What is your favorite memory (memories) so far at VCU?

My favorite memory so far at VCU has been my trip to Doha, Qatar for the 2007 Tasmeem Design Conference. In the spring

After graduation, I hope to work as an interior designer for a large commercial architectural firm and possibly segue into architecture.

INTERIOR DESIGN

What has most impressed me about my VCUarts experience is its educational and cultural opportunities, diversity, foundation courses and collaborative efforts among departments.

Kirk Zamieroski Kinetic Imaging major from Virginia

Kinetic Imaging – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/kineticimaging/dept | 804.828.7204

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

My education here has been very beneficial to my ability to understand and critique the art that I experience on a day-to-day basis. When I first came to VCU, I hadn’t taken an art course since the eighth grade, and frankly was very disconnected with the art community. I was lacking in my understanding of art both conceptually and aesthetically, but the VCU art program brought a better light to those abilities, which are an essential in your own creative processes as an artist. Now I’m very confident in my opinion and not scared to voice it.

When I first came to VCU, I had a pretty stationary path planned as to what direction I was headed in art. Thanks to the Art Foundation program, I learned so much about art that it completely changed my perspective as to what I wanted to become and what kind of art I wanted to create. I was hardly prepared for what was in store for me freshman year, but in the long run I think it was a wonderful enlightening experience and something all art students should have to go through. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

All faculty members have inspired me in their own ways. One thing that I has made my education so much deeper is that the Kinetic Imaging faculty don’t present themselves to us as teachers, but more so as peers–as fellow artists. I think this type of relationship is essential in our educational experiences as developing artists. Their involvement and engagement in our art is what has really inspired me to work harder. It makes me feel as though I’m working hard for not just myself, but for a community of artists. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I aspire to become an animator, but along with that interest, I want to pursue an education in media theory. I have also always been very interested in musical composition and would like to take time to study more music theory. What is your favorite memory (memories) so far at VCU?

My favorite memory has to be arrival week freshman year. I had no idea what to expect, and at first, I was honestly a little scared. There was so much going on and everyone had such a friendly attitude, I knew I chose the right place. I’ve never made so many friends so quickly in my entire life.

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

I would most definitely have pursued the arts more when I was in high school. I felt as though I wasn’t able to make that career path because I was always told it’s not “lucrative” enough. Now that I’m in it I’m not worried about it at all and I’m really, really happy. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

There’s an animation that I am doing with my older brother who graduated last year. I think it is a really awesome thing to first be making art, and second to be making it with someone who you’re very close to. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

Before I graduate, it is my goal to achieve a quality to my work that seems professional. I am a very critical person, and to me, it is very easy to judge what is student work and what isn’t. Judging by how hard I’m working and the sincere help of all my professors and peers, I think I can get to where I want to be. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

After I graduate, I really just want to make independent animations with my brother. Hopefully I can manage to earn some sort of grants to allow me to work strictly on my projects, but if not, I wouldn’t mind working on cartoons for kids. I’ve always had a strong interest in educational programming, and I hope one day to impact the structure of animated content– because as of recently, I’ve been disappointed in animated series on television.

KINETIC IMAGING

How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

Melanie Libbey Music (Flute Performance) major from Virginia

Music – BA and BM | vcu.edu/arts/music/dept | 804.828.1166

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

As far as my musicianship is concerned, I have improved greatly in my stage performance. I can now get up in front of an audience of over a hundred people, and perfom the way that I intend to, regardless of nerves or shakes. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

The most impressive aspect of VCUarts, for me, is the fact that everyone I have met throughout the school is interested in me AND my well-being. Everyone has been extremely encouraging and nuturing to me, and in my opinion, that’s a priceless entity within a college environment. How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

As a flutist, I am used to LOADS of competition and competitive students who are shady in order to get higher up. The flute studio at VCU is NOTHING like that. Again, they’re all out to encourage each other and learn from each other. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

My flute professor has inspired me to practice and become the best that I can be, because I’m meant to be a musician. She’s made me into the musician that I am today. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I’m really interested in writing, and I’m probably the only geek who’s actually looking forward to English 200.

What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

I had a great time playing piccolo and flute for the VCU Opera’s production of the Mikado [pictured above]. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

The Symphony Orchestra. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I want to pass an audition for a professional symphony orchestra. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

I want to be a symphonic flutist/flute teacher for a living.

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

MUSIC

I would have gotten my driver’s license sooner and begun to accept more responsiblity at an earlier age.

Katherine Duckworth Painting and Printmaking major from Tennessee

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not

Lately, I have been really excited about my work and enthusiasm can only lead to progression. I think a lot of my progress comes from just disciplining myself to go to the studio every day, or to just work on something every day. You have to treat it like it’s your job. I’ve learned how to really focus my energy into my work. For instance, there was a time when I was really burnt out on painting. I wanted nothing to do with it but I forced myself to just tough it out and keep going. I think that struggle really pushed into new levels of thinking about painting.

necessarily arts related), what would it be?

How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

What are your favorite memories so far at VCU?

I thought that the environment in the art department was going to be extremely competitive but that is not how it is at all. It can be competitive at times but not in a negative way. Your professors and classmates are almost always willing to talk to you about your work. Everyone is exchanging ideas with each other and it’s great! The painting department is an extremely productive place.

My favorite memories at VCU are just all over the place. The important memories are friends, food, walking in the Fan, sitting on roofs and late nights in the studio.

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

It is very difficult for me to choose one professor who has particularly inspired me. Without Rob Tarbell I would not even be in the painting department. Sally Bowring has been a huge support for my work and me. Christine Gray taught me how to paint, and Todd Cronan taught me how to think about art in ways that I would have never imagined. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I really enjoy doing things outside. My dad introduced me to hiking and scuba diving while I was visiting him. I don’t get to do either very often but when I do it’s like a special treat.

I wish I had better discipline when I was younger. In high school I didn’t draw or paint from life much. I guess when you are a teenager you think your ideas are pretty great so you disregard a lot of information that could be valuable. I just think about where my work would be now if I had just worked a little harder and it kind of irritates me. But, I have the rest of my life to perfect technicalities so I don’t necessarily regret it. I just wish I would have opened my mind to more information before college.

What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

I think my favorite project was a series of etchings I completed in the fall. They were sort of a starting point for understanding where my work was going. They were based off of maps, but were manipulated throughout the printing process. I was basically composing landforms and changing them to my preferences. Imaginary landscapes. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I want to get a fair amount of traveling done before I graduate. It always seems to help my work when I go to a new place for awhile. Traveling really puts things into perspective. You learn a lot about life by just immersing yourself into unfamiliar places. It doesn’t have to be out of the country, or even out of the state. You can find something amazing in the next town over I bet. There is so much space on this earth that is full of whatever you’re looking for.

PAINTING & PRINTMAKING

Painting and Printmaking – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/paintingprintmaking/dept | 804.828.1696

William Connally Photography major from New York

Photography and Film – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/photofilm/dept | 804.828.1695

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

I have noticed that my work has matured, and I have concentrated more on the concept behind the piece. The department stresses strong concepts as well as interesting compositions. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

What has impressed me the most about VCUarts is the opportunity to interact with and learn from the acclaimed artists who we’ve studied in class. How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

Initially, I did not expect the professors and grad students to be so approachable and willing to help. It is wonderful to know that they are always available to help discuss ideas and lend their expertise.

I have had several excellent professors, but I continue to work with Vita Litvak, who taught me during my first year. The two of us are in the Graduate School Mentorship Program together, and meet each week to talk about current projects. She has taken an interest in my artwork, and introduces me to other artists working within the same vein. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

Outside of photography, I am interested in literature, film history, and the mythologies of different cultures. I also enjoy drawing and swimming. What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

One of my favorite memories was when I was able to assist three of my professors as they created a film on the Chesapeake Bay. We camped out on an island and filmed with 35mm cameras. It was a terrific experience to see how an independent feature is made. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

A project that I just completed is a series of tableaus that were created to be reminiscent of film stills. Each image features a group of spectators whose attention is directed toward an event or object just out of frame.

What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I am looking to create a strong, cohesive body of work before I graduate. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

After graduating, I hope to continue creating artwork, while teaching at a university.

PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM

Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Anne Schermerhorn Film major from Virginia

Photography and Film – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/photofilm/dept | 804.828.1695

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

My work has moved beyond simply making art as an outlet and entertainment. Before, I was told to paint some branches. I tried to find an ironic way to paint sticks, figuring the success was in making a pretty and funny piece. Now I can find a context and meaning behind why I do what I do, while still having fun. It is easier to find what to show and what not to show in work. Art is now a way I look and feel about the world, the creation of it stems from my need to show and educate others on my perspective. Selfish, I know.

I always expected there to be clear lines between art and life outside of art. There isn’t, you just have to change how you look at things. Art is for people with the mentality that refuses to get bored. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

There isn’t a faculty member, good or frustrating, who hasn’t inspired some part of me to change for the better. That being said, all faculty have definitely made me raise expectations of myself. I am thankful for the ones that have figured out how to do this in a positive way. There are some, like Todd Raviotta, who truly convince you that they care, and are simply amazing people to be taught by. You can stay after for hours talking with him – it’s great. In his class, exploration dictates motivation and that appeals to how I enjoy making art. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I started off with an idea that I would major in both art and biology, because I wanted to be a herpetologist. But the reality is I have never wanted a specific career and more importantly I did not want to be bored. Film was the easiest way for me to learn about whatever I choose while being able to reach a larger audience than just those who spend time in galleries. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

I would have looked for summer internships, abroad programs, and volunteer art projects right from the start. People love to have others help them out. Programs and opportunities are everywhere if you just have the energy to look for them.

What is your favorite memory so far at VCU?

I remember eating animal crackers with one of my friends on a drive up to DC. I was looking for all the deformed ones and taking pictures of them. I found some that looked like dinosaur orgies in cookie form. I thought, “hey! if a t-rex and brontosaurus could get along that well, there is hope for our future!” What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

My favorite projects change daily, I know there are a bunch I want to go back and rework, but I just can’t bring myself to look at them. I would have to say that a documentary I made on my mother is my favorite. It was the first piece I made in David Williams’ Documentary Class that I really felt showed my personality as well as that of my mother. I also still really like some of the painting/drawings I did in Art Foundation though. I look back on that year and am glad I have the broad range of work that came out of there - everything I did ended up being important to me. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I want to get into some more festivals and work on more films. Really, I feel as though I am getting too much sleep and it unnerves me. Setting goals is good but I want the to flexibility to just jump into different projects. I love getting involved with everyone in the department to get different projects done. I would love to intern on film sets. I am even entertaining the idea of going abroad and teaching English in other countries (Nepal). I really just want to go to Nepal and do something I can make a documentary about. I can’t think of anything better than to go abroad and help educate not only the kids there but also the international public about the experience.

PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM

How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

Tim Rusterholz Sculpture major/Art History minor, from Connecticut

Sculpture + Extended Media – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/sculpture/dept | 804.828.1511

How has your work progressed?

Prior to coming to VCU my experience in the arts was very limited. During Art Foundation I found a new motivation for my work and it continues to build in the Sculpture department. My work is progressing as I gain more experience in the studio and meet new instructors who help me understand how my work functions in the world.

I had no prior expectation of majoring in Sculpture + Extended Media. I didn’t know what to expect being part of an art school, and I had assumed I would become a graphic designer or something along those lines. Three years ago, I would have never expected to be making the work I am right now. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

Many instructors have been crucial to my development at VCU. Chris Norris influenced the progression of my work throughout my freshman year while Michael McKean and Kendall Buster continue to help me develop my work to the next level. Gregory Volk’s class was beneficial to the improvement of my concepts and also helped build my understanding of contemporary art. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

I am a member of the VCU Cross Country and Track & Field teams. I compete as a middle distance runner and am committed to these programs when I am not in the studio. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

If I had not chosen to pursue a career in the arts, I imagine I would be doing something related to athletics. Currently, I get to pursue a career in the arts, and still train and compete competitively so I have a good balance of things I want to accomplish in different areas. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

I don’t necessarily have a favorite or best project to which I’ve contributed. With each piece I try to gain some new insight to help develop my next project. Each piece gives me something to build off of to create more advanced work.

What is your favorite memory (memories) so far at VCU?

Through VCU’s track and field team I have been able to meet many people from all over the world. When I look back I will appreciate the fact that I spent most of my time outside of class with people from Kenya, Poland, France, Ecuador, etc. Many of my close friends at VCU are from different continents and the meshing of cultures made for some of my best memories. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I would like to develop my technical ability at modeling the figure to a very advanced level. I believe that it is crucial to my concepts that I master this element of my work. For the upcoming cross country and track seasons, my main goal is to make the finals of the 800 meter run at conference in my last season before I graduate. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

After I graduate I would like to take up an apprenticeship abroad to continue to develop my work. I have plans to attend graduate school eventually.

SCULPTURE + EXTENDED MEDIA

How is your experience at VCU different from how you thought it might be?

Trevor Dawkins Theatre major from New York

Theatre – BFA | vcu.edu/arts/theatre/dept | 804.828.1514

How has your work progressed since coming to VCU?

I do indeed feel my work has progressed. I know I have become a more competent and confident theatre practitioner through my intensive training at Theatre VCU. I am more aware of my weaknesses and strengths as an artist. Through my training I now know that nothing worth having is free, and that you have to sweat and bleed (yes, there has been blood) for the things you really love. I feel confident with my understanding of elevated text such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. I now have a collection of monologues, sonnets, and movement pieces that I can use at any time for an audition. I have worked and will continue to work on various dialects, some of which I have nearly perfected. I have a much greater understanding of various schools of philosophy in regard to theatre i.e.: the writings of Anne Bogart, Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski, David Mamet, Tina Landau and Michael Chekhov. I have a great wealth of knowledge of the history of western theatre dating back to early Greek Theatre. The list goes on and on. What has impressed you most about your VCUarts experience?

How is your experience different from how you thought it might be?

A rigorous physical regimen is essential to actor training. I did not expect to be doing so much physical training. Is there a faculty member who has particularly inspired you? How so?

My junior acting professor has been a huge inspiration to me. She has taught me to take pride in my acting process, and to cover the ground I stand on. If you could go back and do something differently in your life (not necessarily arts related), what would it be?

Take more pictures. I hardly have any documentation of my life, and I know there is so much I know I’m not going to remember, and I don’t want to forget any of it. What interests you outside of your arts discipline?

Films and multimedia are extremely influential in my work.

What is your favorite memory (memories) so far at VCU?

Performing as the titular role in William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. The play was conceived, rehearsed and performed solely by students with no help from the faculty. Under the direction of Cooper Forsman, a fellow student, the cast devised an extremely experimental staging of the play. It was very well received by the student body and the faculty members. What is your favorite or best project that you’ve contributed to as a student?

During the spring semester I directed the play Red Light Winter by Adam Rapp, a production that I am very proud of. What do you want to accomplish before you graduate?

I want to direct one more show that I am currently writing, as well as perform in at least two or three more productions. What do you hope to do (work-wise) after you graduate?

Devise dramatic theatre with the very talented people I have met and worked with throughout my years at VCU.

THEATRE

The level of experience that our acting professors have, and the knowledge they impart on us has impressed me. I appreciate the personal training we receive and the close relationships that form between me and my colleagues. My class is like a small eccentric family.

What do you wish someone had told you before you came to VCU?

I wish someone had told me how much work being an art student is. I’m not exactly sure, but there seems to be a misconception that being an art student is relaxed and a breeze. I find myself busy all day every day, with several projects going on at once. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not overwhelming; I have plenty of time to myself when I need it, but I am in working on most nights when my friends are out and about having fun. Even though I’m not out as much as I used to be, I’m still having a blast making art. It never gets boring, and it’s all I want to do. Kirk Zamieroski, Kinetic Imaging

I wish someone had told me that it is okay to feel awkward and have no idea what you want. Oh, wait… people did say that to me. That, and don’t buy books until you know you need them. Anne Schermerhorn, Film

I wish that I had researched the school’s other departments, so that I could have considered taking on a minor earlier on. William Connally, Photography

Everyone has this fantasy about what college will be like, but when faced with reality, it’s a bit of a culture shock. I pulled 60 hour work weeks (including classes) one semester, worked two jobs, lived off of 45 cent Kroger mini pizzas and cereal for weeks, and still managed to pull a 3.5 GPA. I wish I was warned about the mental and physical turmoil that college can bear on you. I also wish that I had known that I would be supplementing my class reading with other material not covered in class, because I have an insatiable need to learn. Allison Frew, Art History

Get a parking permit as early as possible. Nedim Sudic, Fashion Design

Thankfully, I was bombarded with helpful advice and have no regrets. The most helpful piece of advice was to work harder than I’ve ever worked before and to keep my enthusiasm level high. Having a coffee maker at my disposal was also a helpful suggestion. Rachel Z. Walters, Fashion Design

I wish someone had told me that Art Foundation and all the portfolio reviews are really not that bad as long as you are willing to work hard. I guess the same thing is true for pursuing your major... it’s not that scary as long as you put in the work. Meg Roberts, Craft/Material Studies (Metal)

I wish someone would have told me not to bring my car! You practically don’t need it. I get so many parking tickets and it just costs so much money. It’s best to walk or bike. Katherine Duckworth, Painting & Printmaking

To MAKE SURE TO USE MY MEAL SWIPES. haha. Enough said, I think. Melanie Libbey, Music (flute performance)

I wish somebody had told me before coming to VCU the importance of attending the guest artist lectures in every department. It was not until these past two semesters that I have realized the benefits of attending all lectures from every department in the School of the Arts, and how it can influence my thought process and ideas positively.

Not everyone here is a stereotypical art student. VCU is actually quite diverse! Lauren O’Neill, Graphic Design

Bring a bike! I actually didn’t know how to ride a bike before coming to VCU, but I finally learned around spring break and have constantly been begging friends to let me borrow theirs. I’m definitely investing in one of my own for next year. I love taking impromptu shopping trips to Carytown! Ada Cooke, Art Foundation

I could have saved the $3,000 I used on meal plans and parking to make my first feature. Ian Edwards, Cinema

I wish that someone had told me to get out of VCU every now and then. As a Dance major, you spend a lot of time in the Dance Center with classes, rehearsals, extra rehearsals, and more rehearsals. If you don’t pace yourself, you’ll burn out quickly. Now that I think about it, I can distinctly remember students warning me about this at the orientations I attended. So I guess I really wish that I would have listened to them. Don’t get me wrong, it is very important to be involved in the department, in fact it’s integral to one’s success; however, a good balance makes the load much lighter. Aaron Burr Johnson, Dance and Choreography

Tim Rusterholz, Sculpture + Extended Media

What advice would you give to a new VCUarts student? 60

The best advice that I could give would be to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. This school grants you a wonderful chance to meet visiting artists, and it is important to make it to as many lectures as possible. William Connally, Photography

I’ve met a number of people who scoff at art majors, saying it’s not as difficult or challenging as, say, a chemistry or engineering major. Maybe you even believe that. I don’t care what anyone says, but it is absolutely not true. You will be investing a lot of time and energy and effort into your work. If you aren’t, well, I worry for your grades. Be prepared, but if you truly love art, I’m sure you will get through just fine. Ada Cooke, Art Foundation

You can never be over-educated. I know that our art history professors are always interested in personal opinions and exciting art news from around the world. My advice to a new student would be to always be on the lookout for new art, or even new information on old art and embrace all facets of the art experience. Richmond is one of the most important art centers in the United States right now; you couldn’t have a better opportunity. Allison Frew, Art History

Don’t take the Art Foundation experience too lightly. It has gotten the reputation as being the arts students’ boot camp. I was also nervous about the program because I did not know what to expect, but I really enjoyed it, it was a great experience. Nedim Sudic, Fashion Design

If you ever get to a point where you are disinterested in your assignments, and find yourself disengaged in your work, it’s okay to move onto something else, or even take a break. This is your art, and it should always be important to you, even if it is a lot of work. Also, class assignments are never enough. The more work you do, the better artist you will become. Never stop working– ever. Kirk Zamieroski, Kinetic Imaging

Everything at VCUarts is competitive. Everyone here is talented and driven to succeed and stand out among other students. You need to work as hard as you can and commit yourself to your work. Ian Edwards, Cinema

Never become set in your ways. It will only hurt you. The best way to take advantage of your schooling is to just open your mind to virtually every possibility both in your everyday life and in your work. Read books! Read essays! Go to galleries! Meet new people! You aren’t here to be an art star. Just learn as much as you possibly can while you are here because you have so many wonderful things within your reach. Katherine Duckworth, Painting & Printmaking

Meet as many people as you possibly can, and treat them all the way they’ll indubitably treat you, with love and respect and genuine care. Melanie Libbey, Music (flute performance)

My advice to a new VCUarts student would be to network and meet as many people as possible. It is important to meet contacts relative to your field of study but also individuals outside of your field. VCU’s diversity is one if its major assets and students should use this to their advantage. A different perspective can shape your outlook on a solution to a problem. Linda J. Clark, Interior Design

Continued…

Advice for New Students, continued

I would advise new VCUarts students to attend every lecture they can no matter what major they choose to pursue. They won’t always get the opportunity to hear so many successful artists talk, so take advantage and see everybody that comes to speak. They will make you better artists. I would also suggest that new students read as many reviews as they can in Art in America, Art Forum, etc; it will be beneficial to their work. Tim Rusterholz, Sculpture + Extended Media

I would say, get involved in as much as you can, especially in departments outside your own. Take advantage of all the gallery showings, performances, and lectures that you can because knowing your surroundings influences how you make your own work, and in turn how it is received by your audience. For new VCU Dance students specifically, present as much choreography as you can. It’s really important to get comfortable with presenting your own work and accepting feedback.

Get involved and meet people. Last, take advantage of the great fun, free experiences and services that VCU offers. There are fitness classes, workshops, shows, lectures, art openings, movies, food, culture, and so much more.

Aaron Burr Johnson, Dance and Choreography

Lauren Leigh Hall, Art Education

Give the city a chance – don’t go stay in your dorm 24/7 or go home every weekend.

The worst thing to do is waste Art Foundation classes by complaining about them. Just use the opportunities and projects to explore and make the pieces work towards your goals. Don’t be a lemming.

Whitney Ann Stevens, Fashion Merchandising

New VCUarts students should try to attend as many gallery openings, visiting artist lectures, musical performances, and plays as possible. They should get out to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the National Gallery - anything they can do to look at, talk about and experience as much art as possible. I also recommend befriending people who are talented and dedicated. Having friends who operate in a similar manner to you is very sustaining in times of frustration. Plus, you can go to shows together and partner up on group projects. Rachel Z. Walters, Fashion Design

Don’t buy everything on the supply lists. Wait until assignments are given, scavenge what you can from home, share with your friends, and if you really must, then go to the store and buy it. This will save you money and build ingenuity. Secondly, get plugged in. You are going to need supportive friends as you push through Art Foundation. There are campus ministry groups and other awesome fellowships on campus.

Anne Schermerhorn, Film

Come with an open mind. Save all your work. Archive everything. Keep a sketchbook with you at all times. Research is key. Ask a lot of questions. Speak up in critiques. Learn the rules and then break a lot of them. Sleep every now and then. Pride yourself on good craftsmanship. Be observant of your surroundings. Find inspiration in the things that you enjoy. Discover all that Richmond has to offer. Surround yourself with others. Take chances. Lauren O’Neill, Graphic Design

VCUarts makes it easy for students to find what they're looking for.

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Undergraduate Admissions www.ugrad.vcu.edu 800.841.3638 ugrad@vcu.edu SAT code: 5570, ACT code 4375

Welcome Center 1111 W. Broad Street 804.827.2000 Records and Registration www.vcu.edu/enroll/rar rar@vcu.edu 804.1349 Financial Aid 804.838.6669 FAFSA code 003735 International Admissions 804.828.6016

Want to know which guest artists are coming, where faculty members and alumni are exhibiting their work, or what shows and exhibitions are coming to VCUarts? While visiting ester, you can sign up to receive the weekly VCUarts events email too! Visit www.esterknows.com

Prudence Interested in finding out about opportunities such as internships and competitions for VCUarts students? www.prudenceknows.info

Inside VCUarts For information on everything from scholarships to where to buy a used easel, the Inside Arts section of the VCUarts web site has you covered. www.vcu.edu/arts/inside_vcu_arts

On-Campus Housing www.housing.vcu.edu 804.828.7666 vcuhousing@vcu.edu Off-Campus Student services www.usca.vcu.edu/offcampus 804.828.7205 harperma@vcu.edu Dining Services www.bsv.vcu.edu/vcufood Health & Wellness www.students.vcu.edu/health www.yourstrategy.org Safety and emergency notifications www.vcu.edu/arts/emergency_notifications www.ugrad.vcu.edu/students/resources

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts 325 North Harrison Street, Ste 201 Richmond, VA 23284-2519 arts@vcu.edu (866) 534-3201 (toll free) (804) VCU-ARTS / (804) 828-2787 www.vcu.edu/arts

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