By: Ella Coleman
Copy Editor
Thursday, April 30 marked an enjoyable, lively day of importance for Vol State, showcasing the different talents the students of Vol State have to offer. The school’s annual Culture Crawl was in full effect, from the art students displaying their works to the jazz band performing a full setlist for everyone in attendance.
The Culture Crawl took place in the SRB building on the first two floors and welcomed guests with refreshments and a brochure listing the times and locations of each event. Because the theme of this year’s Culture Crawl was global travel, the brochure was designed like a passport, and guests received a stamp from each event they visited.
Located in the art gallery on the first floor, the art show displayed all sorts of works, from paintings to ceramics to printmaking. This event happens every year, with students entering a competition to win prizes. Awards such as Best of Show, Best of Painting, Best of Graphic Design, Best of Photography, and more were given to students, including Honorable Mentions. The Best of Show winner, student Sam Weller with two pieces “Cosmic Fossil” and “Living Fossil,” won an award of $200. Winners of the “Best of” categories won $100, and Honorable Mentions won $50 Plaza Arts gift cards.
The award for Best of Painting went to Alex Moody, Best of Graphic Design to Gracelyn Broderick, Best of 3D to James Haynes, Best of Ceramics to Makailah Hicks, Best of Printmaking to Adam House, Best of 2D to Ali Lawrence, Best of Drawing to Jasmine Paco, Best of Bookmaking to Rolo Ray, and Best of Photography to Shelby Smith. Honorable mentions included Collette Freiberger, Sarah Harper, Jackson McCarthy, Sherry Rakonza, Rolo Ray, and Deanna Smith.
President of the nonprofit Tennessee Craft and former Vol State professor, Sue Mulcahy, was the juror behind the art show. She decided which artworks would be displayed in the show and which artworks got awards. “I look at the most challenging piece,” Mulcahy said when asked about the process behind her choices, “It’s not whether I like a piece, necessarily. It’s what I see in it, in terms of potential, creativity, and technique.”
The artworks displayed during the art show were also put up for sale; prices determined by the student. In addition to that, more student pieces were up for grabs during the art sale in room 158: beautiful ceramic dishes, pots, jewelry, and more, with all money going directly to the students.
To add some music and rhythm to the Culture Crawl, Vol State’s very own jazz band, run by Professor Ben Graves, performed a set full of familiar jazz and pop hits, such as Fly Me to the Moon, Don’t Know Why, Route 66, Summertime, and more. Talented students took the stage on the outdoor patio right outside of the gallery, captivating the audience with their vocals, electric guitars, bass, drums, keyboard, and horns.Vol State’s choir performed songs as well, with an Irish, Scottish, and English focus, accompanied by a pianist.
Photo courtesy of Candace Johnson
Right across from the gallery inside the theater, students performed selected scenes from this year’s spring play, giving the audience a glimpse into their work and talent. Partnering with Vol State is the Actors Point Theatre Company, providing students with hands-on experience in the industry. With roles in their productions and theater summer camps, the company gives students a chance to consider the college and show off their talents in professional productions. Their booth was located outside of the theater, providing opportunity to show the guests and audience their benefits to students and the institution alike.
Entertainment Media Production students got their chance to showcase their abilities in filmmaking; the department played two short student films: Jon & Cody vs. Maggie’s Mansion and Devil’s Gambit. Jon & Cody vs. Maggie’s Mansion is about two ghost hunters, one a skeptic and the other a believer, who brave a local haunting. Devil’s Gambit is about a recovering gambling addict discovering an otherworldly underground casino, where a mysterious stranger offers him the chance to pull his life back together and support his wife.
Other events including the salon where creative writing students presented their works, the newsroom where staff writers handed out copies of this semester’s print edition newspaper, and the Spanish room where students put their knowledge of the language to the test, all contributed to a very successful and very entertaining Culture Crawl.
Vol State’s Culture Crawl celebrates the humanities and the students and faculty who pour so much time, effort, and passion into their interests, reminding everyone just how important and fulfilling the arts truly are.
Photo courtesy of Zamauri Wilson
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