Art students plan ‘clown graduation’ in absence of official ceremony

Andrew Kerley, Executive Editor

Instead of donning caps, gowns and cords as they walk the stage, some VCUarts students are planning to bring their “clowniest” garb and silliest instruments to Clown Graduation; a protest against the department not providing its usual arts-specific ceremony this winter. 

Clown Graduation — set to be held in the lobby of the Murray N. DePillars Building on Dec. 12 at 5 p.m. — will see the “Clowncil” rise up when “VCU falls short,” as organizer Max Weker put it on the event’s poster.

Weker, a fourth-year painting and printmaking student, called the clowncil to order for the first time in 2024 after VCU implemented a new Campus Expression and Space Utilization Policy that restricted when, where and how students could assemble — including restrictions on amplified noise. 

“A bunch of us dressed up as clowns and went to the Compass on like a Thursday, and then just sort-of goofed around and clanged pots together,” Weker said. “Some people had guitars and played a lot of music.”

In some ways, Weker’s strategy mirrors that of the “No Kings” protests — where millions of Americans have demonstrated alongside people wearing cartoon inflatables and king-jester costumes to dismantle any notions of violence. 

“I just like the silliness of it, y’know?” Weker said. “I feel like it gives you a lot of leeway to make fun of them.”

Students previously told The CT they found out about the lack of an arts-specific ceremony not through the school, but from their professors, who told them it was due to budget constraints.

Kelly Kerr, the director of communications for the school of the arts stated the change was an effort to recognize graduates in the context of the full university community at the university-wide December commencement, and not acknowledge the budget.

Nearly 500 people signed a petition asking VCU to reinstate the ceremony — but to no avail, so far. 

While VCU is still allowing students to attend the Spring ceremony, some have complained about time, travel and cost considerations. 

When Weker caught wind of the situation, he wanted to find a way to celebrate his fellow students, even though he is not graduating himself until spring 2026. 

Weker is not a stranger to making political art. Many might recognize the collection of portraits that occasionally hang in the front windows of the Depillars Building — the faces of journalists killed during the ongoing genocide in Gaza. 

“My idea is re-humanization,” Weker said. “Especially with Gaza, and a lot of political situations around the world, I think there’s a dehumanizing process where they turn people into numbers.”

Thirty-five journalists are included in the collection. Weker rounded up 12 other student participants to help draw them. He has also painted signs used in protests around campus. 

Weker said VCU has carried an attitude of censorship with its policies that is antithetical to the idea of art school. He encouraged students to speak out with their art — and show up to Clown Graduation.

“In some ways, that’s a goal too, is to have people be loud and boisterous and voice their opinions,” Weker said.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with a new start time for the event.