‘Black is beautiful’: Series of events highlight Black students
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Three VCU Black student leaders are taking charge of Black History Month by celebrating Black identity. Sydney Wilson, Black Art Student Empowerment president; Eli Brown, Creative Production Collective head curator; and Taya Coates, Black in Fashion president, collaborated and created Black Fidelity — a project focused on empowering Black voices inspired […]
Nonprofit record label centers around representation
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Grimalkin Records, a Richmond-based nonprofit, is more than just music — it’s about community and representation for LGBTQ, transgender, people of color and disabled artists. Grim Kells, founder of Grimalkin Records, is queer and disabled and wanted to create a space where others like themselves could feel safe and supported within […]
My jewelry is more than OK: Affordability, quality are priorities for VCU business owner
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer What began as a way to own jewelry beyond a high schooler’s budget turned into an Etsy business and merchandise in two local Richmond stores. Lia Kendrick, a sophomore in VCU’s real estate program, started her business “OKNecklace” in 2017. Kendrick wore a lot of jewelry but could not afford items she […]
Local magazine plans mural to support freedom in Iran
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer Shima Razavi, an Iranian woman, wants to spark conversation through art and showcase support for women’s rights in Iran and Richmond. The fight against an “oppressive dictatorship” in Iran has been going on for many years, according to Razavi, initiator of the mural project. Mahsa Amini was an Iranian woman who […]
‘Born creative’: VCU alum opens pandemic-inspired collection
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer What began as a creative outlet during the pandemic turned into bright colors, powerful messages and treasures from the past and emerged into Julia Malakoff’s Paper Jewels collection. Paper Jewels is a series of three different shows created between 2020 and 2022 on display at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center, according […]
Students celebrate indie art through expo
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer A mix of bright colors, sketches, stickers, comics and illustrations inspired from fantasy and social issues filled the University Student Commons for the annual Richmond Indie Comic Expo, or RICE. RICE is a student-led event to showcase and promote the comic scene in Richmond, according to Alexander Tyree, senior VCUarts communication […]
Student modeling troupe embraces diversity
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer Student organization Statement Modelz continues to be a place on campus representing students not always seen at VCU after announcing its new model class, Statement’s stylist Lauryn Lynch said. The university has a diverse group of students with different cultural backgrounds composed of 13.4% Asian students, 18.3% of Black students and […]
Qatar Week showcases art, design, Qatar through contemporary lens
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer Students and faculty got a glimpse of art, design and research coming out of VCUarts Qatar campus through four events during Qatar Week 2022 on VCU’s campus in Richmond. VCUarts Qatar alum Aisha Al-Ziani graduated in 2020 with a fine arts degree in painting and printmaking and spent a semester at […]
Student organization puts on fall fashion week
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer Students around campus took part in a creative fashion challenge wearing animal prints, earth tones, lace, throwbacks to the past and ideas of fashion’s future. VCU student-led organization, Creative Production Collective, is an organization committed to bringing people together to gain skills needed for future goals within the fashion industry, according […]
VCUarts professor blends protests, mystical stories for art exhibition
Natalie Barr, Contributing Writer VCU’s contemporary art gallery welcomed a new installment to guests through the use of natural materials, worn textures and faded colors. The Anderson is displaying Larissa Garcia’s new exhibition Zero Loss Peak after it was chosen as the 2022 recipient for the Excellence in Adjunct Research Award. The application included a […]