Graduating photography students to farewell with One Night Stand

Rachel Nicholas, Contributing Writer 

All eyes are on the senior VCU photography class as they display sneak peeks of their capstone thesis as part of a one night only show on Dec. 4. 

Taking place at The Anderson — a hosting space for VCU students, alumni and special guests — One Night Stand will highlight the hard work and dedication of the past semester, culminating in one final display.

The title of the exhibition was chosen from a long list of names through a vote organized by president Ava Schrag. The show serves not only as the students’ capstone, but also a trial run for their thesis, according to senior artist Tahlia Hightower.

“It’s not mandatory that we use thesis work,” Hightower said. “I know at least most of us definitely want to use it in hopes that all the people who have helped support us for all the things like artist talks and portfolio reviews will get to see what they’ve been helping.”

Hightower describes her art as a part of her healing process — her featured piece is one that shows her moving through those feelings. 

“The piece that I chose feels like my work,” Hightower said. “I’ve been confronting these things more, pushing the boundaries of my work and what I’m doing. So having it nice and framed in a gallery feels like a step towards the finale, like I’m really doing this, not just as an artist, but like a human being that deals with real life.”

Maggie O’Rourke, a participating artist, said her life experiences have had an emotional impact on her work.  

“I’m using photography to explore the subconscious mind, specifically how my dreams, nightmares and childhood trauma shape memory and identity,” O’Rourke said.

O’Rourke, who transferred from a small arts college in Mississippi, cites her sister as the inspiration for her work, deciding to feature her for her final thesis.

“My family is a huge thing in my life,” O’Rourke said. “My little sister has autism, and she is just my whole world. She’s been like my muse since I was just starting photography, so I felt like it was only right to use a picture of her.”

Over the course of four years, roughly 30-something students have grown and bonded through their art, forming a community, said artist Matthew Pappaconstantinou.

“I love everyone here,” Pappaconstaninou said. “We all spend so much time together working on our art and we all became friends pretty much.”

Pappaconstaninou, a lens-based photographer, said his work and photos have grown since the start of his art career as a freshman art foundation student to senior year. 

“Every year, my photos improve more and more,” Pappaconstaninou said. “This year, I’m choosing to focus on that change and kind of center my work around it.”

One Night Stand offers viewers an intimate look into the group’s final work while also commemorating the relationships and growth over four years of collaboration. With their last exhibitions approaching, the seniors feel this show stands as a testament to their creative work and the progress they have made, and continue to make, with their art.

More information on the exhibition can be found at arts.vcu.edu/event/one-night-stand-exhibition/.