‘Set the Tone’: 10 VCU dance seniors choreograph pieces, showcase individual creativity
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor Dancers perform chaîné turns across the floor, grand jeté leaps through the air, developpé extensions and elegant arabesques in the dance pieces choreographed by senior VCU dance students and performed by other dance students at the first half of the “Set the Tone: Class of Frequency” showcase. The showcase features choreographed […]
New RVAFW beauty director aims to uplift local beauticians, promote diversity of beauty
Jiana Smith, Staff Writer Richmond-based hair and makeup artist Brittany Johnson said she never planned to work in the beauty industry. Despite enjoying beauty since youth, Johnson always considered beauty to be a hobby, not something she wanted to do as a career. After feeling limited in her self-expression by her previous field of social […]
VCU fashion design student breaks barriers, wins design scholarship
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor Michael Robinson always knew he wanted to pursue a career in fashion design. Ever since he was young, fashion has always been a form of expression and empowerment. “To be able to build off my own experiences to help others, but also to bridge communities and build that intersectionality between different […]
VCU alumnus creates featured artwork for blockbuster film ‘Candyman’
Hadia Moosvi, Contributing Writer VCU alumnus Cameron Spratley remembers the initial fear he felt in 2019 when he joined the artistic team for the sequel of the 1992 film “Candyman.” “It was the scariest possible thing to do, but it ended up being super, super fun,” Spratley said. “Especially with [director] Nia DaCosta and the […]
Alumna makes creative strides in the fashion industry working with high-profile figures
Hadia Moosvi, Contributing Writer Since the age of 12, VCU alumna Jessica Holt loved to experiment with sewing, clothes, accessories and colors. She now lives in New York City, where she’s helped create pieces for the MTV Video Music Awards, New York Fashion Week, the Met Gala and American Vogue. Holt studied fashion design at […]
Five horror flicks that will keep you up at night this Halloween
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor With Halloween coming up and the weather getting cooler, now is the perfect time to bundle up and binge some season-appropriate films. This upcoming Halloween weekend, there’s nothing better to do to get in the spirit than watching scary movies. Grab a friend, some candy corn and your scariest costume for […]
Alumni-written workbooks aim to ease performance anxiety, boost mental well-being of student musicians
Jiana Smith, Staff Writer VCUarts music alumna Amora Mikell remembers the emotional and mental stress she experienced at the beginning of her junior year in college. Whenever she practiced the cello, an instrument she has played since the sixth grade, Mikell said she often experienced negative thoughts and anxiety. “At a certain point, I was […]
‘The Cardinal Club’ exhibition celebrates Asian stories, highlights VCU’s Asian community
Jiana Smith, Staff Writer George Kubo was a private man, even to his own family. A survivor of the Japanese internment camps in World War II, Kubo set aside his dreams of film school to become an accountant and live a quiet life in Detroit, Michigan, according to his granddaughter Bella Kubo. When George Kubo […]
Maymont’s annual ‘Garden Glow’ illuminates outdoors with lights, community activities
Zahra Ndirangu, Contributing Writer Colored lights brightly paint every inch of Maymont’s Glow Village as guests look on with awe. The lights change color, from blues to reds and greens, reflecting off of the foliage of the garden. The Maymont Foundation held its annual Garden Glow event on Friday where the Carriage House Lawn was […]
VCU music professor tours internationally while connecting with students
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor When Eric Wheeler isn’t teaching VCU music students as an adjunct professor of double and electric bass, he’s often touring with various musicians, such as Grammy-nominated trumpeter Theo Croker, or holding international music workshops. Wheeler started teaching at VCU last year and teaches his students virtually most of the time, as […]