Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar - VCUQ, Doha - Gallery news: VCUQatar concludes Summer Classes with exhibition on 9 July

VCUQatar concludes Summer Classes with exhibition on 9 July

Summer Courses at VCUQatar a hit with students

Doha, Qatar - Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar's Summer Classes for the community in Qatar offering various classes in different design areas by noted local and international instructors were a great success with the students.

Design Discovery was targeted at Qatari students in high school while Art Exploration was directed at 9 to 11 year olds. Design Discovery which ran from 28 June until 2 July had 12 students who enrolled for the classes with the intention of getting to know the programs at VCUQatar better. The morning sessions included classes in drawing and shading and were focused on some of the requirements for portfolio submissions for admission to VCUQatar. The afternoon sessions focused on the programs offered by VCUQatar with seminars in fashion design, graphic design and interior design.

"Several students expressed an interest in a career in design," said Melanie Buffington, Assistant Professor of Art Education at VCU Richmond who is here in Qatar for the second consecutive year with Jan Johnston, Visiting Professor VCU Richmond, conducting the summer classes. "The students are getting a little smattering of what design is and what VCUQatar offers," added Ms Johnston who agreed with Ms Buffington that the students were very creative and talented. Dean Allyson Vanstone and Director of Admissions Can Ikram attended the seminars and Dean Vanstone presented certificates to the students at the end of the course.

This year VCUQatar decided to include younger students in the summer classes introducing Art Exploration for 9 to 11 year olds. 16 students enrolled for classes that started on 5 July and conclude on 9 July with an exhibition of their work at 2:00 PM that is open to the public. Students in this course had classes in drawing, painting and printmaking and a field trip to the Museum of Islamic Art. Their last classes saw them work with mixed media in textile pieces interpreting the idea of community and how their community is a part of Qatar. The pieces from this class will be exhibited on 9 July to the public.

"Everybody's been kind and helpful and we've learnt a lot," said Ms Buffington who enjoyed teaching students from different countries including Britain, New Zealand, Lebanon, Syria and the States. "We learnt a lot about them and their culture," she said. Ms Johnston added they were definitely busy being kept on their toes, "And it's nice seeing a difference in both groups. With the younger ones we're planting a seed early, and the older students are definitely very talented and creative," she added.

Both visiting professors from Richmond enjoyed working with the teachers who conducted the seminars. Two of VCUQatar's recent graduates Hala Akkawi and Cynthia Batir were also on hand to help with the classes, translations and planning the exhibition. Everybody involved is looking forward to the next set of community classes.

About Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar:
Established in the US in 1838 and in Qatar in 1998 Virginia Commonwealth University offers students from all over the world the opportunity to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in fashion, graphic and interior design. A team of highly skilled professors provide rigorous curricula that prepare students to assume leadership roles in the professional design field of their choice. VCUQatar regularly organizes and hosts exhibitions, gallery events, world-class conferences and holds an annual fashion show. VCUQatar is supported and funded by the Qatar Foundation. For more information please visit www.qatar.vcu.edu or call +974 492 7245.

About Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development
Founded in 1995 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, and chaired by Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, Qatar Foundation is a private, non-profit organization committed to the principle that a nation's greatest natural resource is its people. The headquarters of Qatar Foundation are located within its flagship project, Education City, a fourteen million square-meter campus which hosts numerous progressive learning institutions and centers of research, including branch campuses of six of the world's leading universities, plus a cutting-edge research and development center. Qatar Foundation also works to enhance the quality of life in Qatar by investing in community health and development.
For more information please visit: www.qf.org.qa

Images:
Melanie Buffington with the students showing some of their painting and printmaking skills

Students participating in painting and printmaking exercises