VCUarts Uncharted

Composer and producer Filipe Leitão describes the art of composing music for cinema and explains that what a director says they want is not always what they really want. --- About Filipe Leitão Filipe Leitão, D.M.A., is an award-winning composer, music producer and educator. He is Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he developed and leads the Media Scoring program. He ea...

Roberto Jamora describes the magic of color, the importance of seeing in critical thinking and the legacy of first generation immigrants in the arts. This episode also features Michelle Yee, assistant professor of Art History at VCUarts. --- About Roberto Jamora Roberto Jamora is a Richmond-based artist and educator. He holds an M.F.A. from the State University of New York at Purchase and a B.F.A....

Dancer E. Gaynell Sherrod, Ed. D., describes the challenges and triumphs of creating the sonic landscape for 350,000 , an immersive film installation featured in the exhibition Dawoud Bey: Elegy . This episode also features Valerie Cassel Oliver, the Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. --- About E. Gaynell Sherrod Dance educat...

VCUarts Qatar-based international architects and interior designers Simone Carena and Marco Bruno explain the creative power of fresh starts and misunderstandings, the meaning of dub design and why arts research is like riding a motorcycle. --- About Simone Carena & Marco Bruno MOTOElastico co-founders and VCUarts Qatar faculty members Simone Carena and Marco Bruno chat about their Dub-inspire...

John Freyer explains how he came to make art that creates space for people to slow down and have honest conversations with each other. This episode also features artist, curator and educator Sarah Irvin , curator of student exhibitions and programs at the Anderson, VCUarts' premier on-campus exhibition space. --- About John Freyer John Freyer is an associate professor of cross-disciplinary me...

Pam Turner discusses the animus in animation, the power of place, and her extraordinary journey from tenant farm to university. This episode also features Hope Ginsburg , professor of Kinetic Imaging at VCUarts.  --- About Pam Turner Pamela Taylor Turner is an artist, writer and educator working at the intersection of animation and emerging media. Her practice—both in the studio and on the page—ex...

Visual effects artist Matt Wallin discusses working at Industrial Light and Magic and Weta Digital, and shares lessons about demystifying the meaning of life through the church of the movies. --- About Matt Wallin Matt Wallin grew up in the Los Angeles suburbs in the 70s and 80s skateboarding and going to the movies. In 1992 he earned his degree in Cinema from San Francisco State University . That...

Fashion designer Jeannine Diego discusses the intersection of community, punk rock and the self-making performance of fashion that we all do every day.  This episode also features guest Kristin Stewart, a doctoral student whose research investigates the historical influence of men's clothing on masculinity. --- About Jeannine Diego With more than 25 years of fashion industry experience in var...

Kendall Buster shares her fascinating journey from microbiology to sculpture, the realization that all life is architecture, and the unexpected lessons of getting professional praise.  This episode also features guest Christiana Lafazani, associate dean for faculty affairs and research at VCUarts.  --- About Kendall Buster Kendall Buster is a professor of Sculpture + Extended Media at VCUarts. Equ...

Percussionist Justin Alexander, D.M., shares his passion for “singing” rhythm and discusses the extraordinary potential of veering from your original plan and letting your interests guide you. This episode also features guest Karen Cubides, a musician, coach and entrepreneur who specializes in helping musicians connect with the calling of their work. --- About Justin Alexander Justin Alexander is...

Art historian and dean of VCU’s School of the Arts Carmenita Higginbotham, Ph. D. , discusses her unexpected journey to becoming the go-to expert for everything from Edward Hopper to Mickey Mouse. This episode also features guest Christiana Lafazani , associate dean for faculty affairs and research at VCUarts.  --- About Carmenita Higginbotham Carmenita Higginbotham is an art historian whose resea...

Amir Berbić reflects on his refugee experience and the power of design to shape identity, foster resilience, and build community, and discusses his work as a designer, educator and dean of VCUarts Qatar. This episode also features guest Christiana Lafazani , associate dean for faculty affairs and research at VCUarts. ---  About Amir Berbić Amir Berbić is a graphic designer who works on questions s...

Director, actor and educator Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph. D. , examines the need for authenticity, the power of African poetic drama and how a single play changed her entire life. This episode also features guest Desirée Dabney, guest musical theatre artist, actor and CEO of Theatre Diva Productions.  --- About Tawnya Pettiford-Wates Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph. D., is professor of graduate pedagogy...