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Haki Madhubuti on the legacy of Dr. Murry N. DePillars

Author, publisher and poet Haki Madhubuti met past VCUarts Dean Murry N. DePillars, Ph.D., when both were launching their artistic careers. Madhubuti talks about their collaborative relationship and DePillars’ influence as a prominent Black artist and educator.

The VCU Board of Visitors voted to recognize past DePillars by naming the fine arts building on West Broad Street in his honor. As part of an ongoing celebration to take place throughout 2021-22, we're speaking to alumni, colleagues and artists about his lasting legacy.

Read the Q&A with Madhubuti.

VCUarts celebrates classes of 2020 and 2021

VCUarts recently hosted an in-person and livestreamed graduation ceremony honoring all 2020 and May 2021 graduates from the School of the Arts. Samantha Speis (BFA ‘05), a movement artist and co-artistic director of Urban Bush Women, delivered the commencement address.

Watch highlights from May 2021 graduation ceremony

Senior spotlight: Alex Mihalski, Craft/Material Studies

A semester abroad, a global pandemic and simple curiosity changed Alex Mihalski’s approach to artmaking. Now she relies less on detailed sketches and plans; instead, she embraces uncertainty and trusts her instincts.

Read more about Mihalski.

Senior spotlight: Donald Petties, Interior Design

As a teenager in Hampton Roads, Viriginia, Donald Petties worked in construction, carpentry, and interior and home renovations. At VCU, he chose to study interior design because it offered him the chance to work on spaces that affect how people live.

Read more about Petties

VMFA announces 2021-22 fellowship recipients

VCUarts undergraduate students, faculty, and alumni were well represented among the winners of the 2021-22 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellowships. Of the 21 artists who received a total of $146,000 in career funding, 11 had ties to VCUarts.

Learn more about this year’s fellows

How the pandemic is altering interior design

VCU’s interior design professors and students are responding to COVID-19 through unique assignments and structural adjustments. Their efforts are a window to changes and challenges to the industry.

Read how interior design is reimagining spaces 
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Richmond, VA 23284-2519 archive