BROKEN HISTORIES by Angelique Scott

Broken HIStories by Angelique Scott

It is difficult, and sometimes dangerous, to be a proud Black-American in the United States. But this has not stopped the Black Community from rallying together and showing their pride everyday. This has not stopped Black Community leaders in leading chants on the streets that their people’s lives matter. This has not stopped Black Parents in instilling hope in their children’s hearts that there is a better future where all people will be treated equally. This has not stopped Black Teachers in equipping their students with the wisdom on how toachievethatbetterfuture.Finally,thishasnotstoppedBlack Artists around the United States from showing, through their art, pride in their heritage and pride in the amazing things their community is capable of.

Angelique Scott, is one such artist who expresses her pride regularly and skillfully. Aside from showing her pride through her physical being, words, actions and the organizations she is a part of, Ms. Scott’s enjoys expressing her pride through her art. Her favored medium of artistic expression is physical sculptures, particularly clay and ceramics. Ms. Scott is currently a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University and plans on graduating in the Spring of 2018. Her field of study is ArtEducationandCraft/MaterialStudieswithaconcentration in clay and a minor in Art History.

Angelique Scott is Amendment’s Featured Artist of the Fall 2016 semester and it was an honor to interview her for our Journal. Amendment: What do you think about VCU? Is this a good place to be an art student?

Angelique Scott: I have grown to love VCU. I believe that withanypublicorprivateartscollege,youpayforconnections and opportunities, and VCU has a lot of them. Apart from the lack of diversity in the arts, VCU is a great place to be an art student. You are challenged by your peers and by your professors to create work that not only fits the prompt, but that is meaningful to you. The teachers care about their students, and the Dean’s office listens to students concerns, especially mine in regards to diversity. Once I noticed how I was the only black student or student of color in most my art classes, I decided not to stick with the status quo or the “norm.” Aside from being an art student at VCU, what other groups and activities are you a part of around VCU?

I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, one of the 9 historically black sororities in the National PanHellenic Council. We hold various events both educating and involving the VCU and Richmond Community. I am also the Co-Founder and President of B.A.S.E (Black Art Student Empowerment) at VCU. A cultural organization that was founded as a direct response to the lack of diversity within the School of the Arts. One of our biggest and most anticipated events is the Fall Showcase we hold every fall semester. This year’s showcase is themed “B(L)ack By Popular Demand.” I was also involved with the NAACP at VCU for Two years and was crowned Miss NAACP for the 2014-2015 academic year. I was the speaker for the Presidential Forum on Diversity in Fall 2015 and a student organizer with Black VCU Speaks to discuss concerns from students of color to the President’s Office. I recently graduated from the VCU Aspire, 2-year service learning program.