Extra-curricular Art Program

Kids “pop-in” class gives opportunity for art outside school

With many local schools cutting art programs, the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center in Richmond city provides an alternative after school activity.



By Amy Via



On Friday evenings, beginning in late April and running for three weeks, the Pine Camp Arts and Community Center in Richmond has a children’s art program available called Kids Only POP-In.



Shaunn Casselle is the facilitator for the program, which provides extra-curricular art activities outside of school.

The program was developed to allow children to be creative without having to register and commit to the activities.

“It’s an opportunity to be an introductory program, in case you find out, ‘well maybe my kid doesn’t really like art,’” said Casselle.

There are numerous activities to choose from, including crafts, painting, drawing and pottery work. Children can come alone, or bring their parents along to help with the activities.

Veena Luthra has been bringing her son, Max Murphy, to Pine Camp for four months for a Saturday art class called Art Fun 101, but this month is their first time coming to POP-In.

Max attends a private school where he has art classes two times a week. But, the pop-in program is an inexpensive activity he can do after school.

And, in Luthra’s opinion, the more art a child is exposed to, the more it can benefit them.

“I think [art] improves concentration and creativity, and a sense of accomplishment once you’ve finished a work,” said Luthra.

Traci Johnson brings her daughter, Shanthi Bhagat, 6, to the POP-In activities regularly. Shanthi actually enjoys the program so much that she keeps up with when each new season will start.

Shanthi attends a public school, and also takes art classes, but Johnson began involving her daughter in the art programs because Shanthi expressed interest in them.

“I let her tell me. If she wants to come here, she keeps track of when it starts and when it ends,” said Johnson.

Johnson also thinks art benefits children, whether it’s improving academic performance in school or boosting their confidence.

“I think it helps her in school…[she says] she has high self esteem. Just letting them be creative and knowing that they have something special about them,” said Johnson.

In addition to being a creative outlet, another benefit about the pop-in program is that it’s very affordable.

Casselle said that many residents around Pine Camp want their children exposed to art, but can’t afford typical art class tuition. The pop-in activities carry a $1 studio fee, plus the cost of the activity, which is $5 and under.

The flexible scheduling of the Pine Camp art programs has been a success within the greater Richmond community.

“I’ve never really gotten any negative feedback,” said Casselle.

(-Pine Camp Program Guide)
(-Richmond City Public Schools)

Economy & Art in Schools

Teachers and administrators respond to budget fears

With the country sinking deeper into a recession, counties are left wondering how their school budgets will be affected.



By Amy Via



Henrico and Chesterfield County schools are expecting budget cuts for the 2009-2010 school year.

Currently, a report from March 11 said that Henrico County’s proposed budget calls for no cuts. Instead, the county wants to put a freeze on hiring and sacrifice pay raises.

In spite of the recession, the 2008-2009 budget for Henrico County managed to keep the essential extra-curricular programs in art, but teachers fear that next year may face cuts.

Natalie Wier, art department chair at Varina and Mehfoud Elementary Schools in Henrico County, explained that the current recession occurred in the middle of the school year, so it hasn’t affected her schools, yet.




Henrico’s budget for art supplies was also calculated last year. Wier thinks that this year will be fine, but next year may be more difficult.

“Art teachers are always having to be creative and figure things out budget-wise,” said Wier.

If Henrico makes cuts to the budget, Wier thinks she’ll have to be even more creative next year.

Mary Scurlock, art teacher at Henrico High School’s Center for the Arts, feels the school will be okay budget-wise. At this point the worst that may occur is the lack of hiring new teachers.

“I’ve been told that Henrico County is a little more financially stable than other counties,” said Scurlock.

Scurlock thinks that the administrators in Henrico are aware of the fact that art is a priority for children, and are therefore protecting art programs. But she agreed that next year’s budget will be a more accurate reflection of whether art programs will really suffer.

Mike Gettings, art specialist for Henrico Co. Public Schools, feels art programs should be okay as long as the budget is approved as it currently stands.

Gettings said the school board thinks art is an important part of school systems.

“It’s a belief system that they feel is an important part of every child’s education,” said Gettings.

Henrico County will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on April 14.

Chesterfield County is also waiting for budget results.

According to the March 11 report, Chesterfield County has proposed $1.23 billion for the budget, with $627.2 million of that going to public schools. However, this would still be a 2.5 percent decrease in funding.

Shawn Smith, Assistant Director of community relations for Chesterfield Co. Public Schools, said their school board is still going through the budget process.

The only specific reduction in Chesterfield has been a $78,000 cut in replacing music equipment and music equipment repair for next year.

Smith also said that no decisions have been made in terms of employee lay-offs, so “employees are not aware of their status.”

Chesterfield Co. Public Schools will vote on the proposed budget on April 15.

Center for the Arts Slideshow

While some question whether art programs really benefit children in school, places like the Center for the Arts at Henrico High School provide a creative outlet for students. Mary Scurlock is an art teacher at the Center, and believes art classes help students perform better in other subjects.

Shamrock the Block

Richmond’s first outdoor festival of the year

Get ready to attend a free block party in Shockoe Bottom with live music, Irish food, and fun activities.


By Amy Via



Every year, Shamrock the Block brings an outdoor rock festival to the 17th Street Farmer’s Market area.


Run by Three One One Productions, LLC, the festival promises great food, music, and fun.

Scott Robinson, 21, of eastern Henrico, attended the event last year.

“It was an extremely enjoyable event,” said Robinson.

Robinson appreciated the “going green” theme at the festival.

“This year in particular, the event organizers focused more on eco-friendly products. I was…happy to see that sort of conscience in such a large event.”

Several local bands had the opportunity to perform, including the Georgia Satellites.

Janis Solomon, 46, of Fredericksburg, also attended Shamrock the Block in 2008.

“I thought it seriously rocked! Best I’ve seen in a long time,” said Solomon.

Solomon enjoys coming down to Richmond because she feels there’s a wider variety of cultural activities to choose from. She was attracted to the festival because of the live music.

One of the sponsors is the Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). Even if the event was not free, Solomon said she would still have attended because she appreciates helping out organizations like SCAN.

This year, SCAN will be at the festival, with volunteers pouring beer, checking IDs, and helping with children’s activities.

Bethany Young, who works for Greater Richmond SCAN, said the organization first became a sponsor of the festival because Three One One Productions reached out to them.

“It’s been a really great partnership,” said Young.

Mike Murphy, managing partner for Three One One Productions, agreed that the two companies form a great partnership. He said that the production company was hired by SCAN to organize the event.

Murphy said Three One One has activities including pony rides, face-painting, carnival games, and jugglers planned for children. The festival will also have lots of food and drinks, including numerous beer selections, crafts, and an eco-friendly area.

“It’s a great way to get people out of the house,” said Murphy.

Other sponsors include Bud Light, Magic Hat Brewing Company, Style Weekly, Pearson Signature Dealerships, Mix 103.7, 96.5 KLR, and Y101.

Angie Castlebury, Mix 103.7 promotions director and mid-day host for Y101, said all the stations will have unique activities at the festival.

“Mix 103.7 will be heading up the kids’ activity area, where there will be plenty of crafts and games for the little ones,” said Castlebury.

She also said Sludge, Y101’s afternoon host, will have his Build-A-Band perform. The band was created last year through a listener contest.

Before the festival, 96.5 KLR will have a contest to find the “Lazy Roadie,” and the winner will watch the live bands from a chair on stage.

Last year, over 10,000 people attended the rain or shine festival. This year’s turnout is expected to be just as successful.

Admission to Shamrock the Block is free to the public, and a portion of proceeds from sales will go to benefit Greater Richmond SCAN.

The event is scheduled for Sat., March 14 from noon-6 p.m.

Stimulus Bill brings mixed feelings to VCU

The reaction within the VCU community to the current Congressional stimulus bill proves to be both hopeful and unsure.


By Amy Via



On Jan. 26, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was introduced to Congress by Rep. David Obey. The House of Representatives has since approved the bill, but it is still being debated by the Senate.

Virginia Commonwealth University staff and students respond to the current stimulus bill with their opinions on its possible success and educational benefits.

Ed Millner is the chairman in the VCU Department of Economics. He believes the Senate will pass something, but isn’t sure about the effectiveness of the overall package.

“Opinions over fiscal stimulus have varied over time,” said Millner. "The stimulus package might come at the expense of other sectors of the economy."

Millner explains that the package will create a larger deficit, which will hurt credit. While consumer spending may increase, there will be less spending somewhere else, like factory building. He thinks the recession may shorten if the package passes Congress.

Beth Kreydatus, a Focus Inquiry professor, has been following the debate and also expects the package to pass in some form.

In terms of economic hardships, she thinks the package will be “helpful, but it won’t single-handedly solve the problem,” said Kreydatus.

She thinks the Democratic Party may have an agenda for how they will spend the money, but she agrees with their methods. She thinks they are working to address the lack of funding for education.

Will Sims, an advertising professor, isn’t sure if the bill will benefit education. But he hopes Congress will structure the bill so it has long-term benefits for the economy.

“We’re overdue for infrastructure overhauls for the economy,” said Sims.

When asked about his opinion on the possibility of ulterior motives behind the bill, Sims said he thinks everyone has ulterior motives, “but I don’t think there’s some conspiracy behind the government.”

Public relations professor Yan Jin feels like the debate has “gone on forever” and hopes the plan will not be delayed much longer.

While she believes that some action needs to be taken, she also believes there needs to be a follow-up plan.

“The stimulus bill is one of many medications the country needs,” said Jin. "Spending is mainly to push consumers, but other areas like credit and recovery issues need to be addressed."

VCU student Jessika Farrar thinks the bill will pass mainly because of the increasing rate of unemployment. She thinks the stimulus package may help to address that concern.

“With politics there’s always something behind every good deed,” said Farrar, on the subject of ulterior motives behind the bill.

But she thinks the key factor is to see whether the package works, and where the money goes.

Farrar said, “If it goes only to schools with good products and a lot of books, but not to inner city schools, it won’t help.”

African Art Comes to VCU

A successful opening reception for Anderson Gallery’s Yoruba Art and Beaded Prayers exhibitions leads to high hopes for the season.


By Amy Via


On a chilly, recent Friday evening rhythmic beats emanated from the Scott House on West Franklin Street.



Inside, musicians Olumide Gilbert and the Alkebulan Ensemble performed on African drums while visitors chatted and ate hors d’ourves.

It was the opening reception for Embodying the Sacred in Yoruba Art, featuring the Bernard and Patricia Wagner Collection, and The Beaded Prayers Project.

These exhibitions are on view in the Anderson Gallery at 907 ½ W. Franklin St. The first showcases mixed-media artwork from the Yoruba, an ancient and spiritual culture from Africa. The second consists of thousands of small, sealed packets, each one having the individual artist’s hope or prayer inside.

Professor Sonya Clark, chair of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Craft Department, is the creative mind behind the Beaded Prayers Project.

Clark was inspired by a desire to do something different from her regular studio practice, which she describes as slow and solitary.

“This helped me get out into the community and helped me learn from other people,” said Clark.

She took a year off from teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received funding from the university to pursue her project.

Clark taught friends how to make the packets, which are usually composed of cloth with beaded embroidery, then sealed with a piece of paper inside. The paper contains a prayer or dream for the future. Some artists choose to make their packets entirely out of beads, and the resulting shapes can range from square to circular to triangular.

After establishing a web site so people could mail their artwork to Clark, she had enough material to build a show.

Since the project’s launch in 1998, 5,000 artists between the ages of 6 and 90 from 35 countries have participated.

“Collectively this is something much larger than me,” said Clark, who describes herself as the caretaker of the artwork, more so than the curator.

Clark describes the response to the show as “overwhelmingly phenomenal. I once said, that it will be the last show, and now 10 years later there’s still interest.”

At the gallery, student workers Melissa Dishman and Kelly Hart found a special connection to the Beaded Prayers Project.

“It’s so colorful, so cool to look at. I’m still seeing new things each time,” said Hart.

Dishman, a VCU student majoring in elementary education, helped install the exhibition.

“There’s so much feeling behind each piece,” said Dishman.

Ashley Kistler, Anderson Gallery Director, explains that this is an ideal opportunity to view African artwork since the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts has closed many of their exhibits.

“It was a great opportunity to get a first-class African art exhibition here,” said Kistler. Dr. Babatunde Lawal, a VCU art history professor, was also involved in bringing the Yoruba Art exhibition to the Anderson Gallery.

Traci Flores, gallery coordinator and collections specialist, expects a positive response from the exhibitions because “people are very fascinated with African art and culture.”

The exhibitions will be showing at the gallery through March 1.