ChatDescription
The exhibition “Voices of Change: Student Advocacy and Action from the Archives” at James Branch Cabell Library explores VCU’s history and legacy of student activism. As a companion to that ongoing exhibit, “Voices of Change: Stories from Alumni,” will bring together these alumni: Dale M. Brumfield (BFA School of the Arts,1981, MFA Humanities and Science 2015); IBé Bulinda Hereford Crawley (BA Humanities 1983, MA English 1986); Krissi Vandenberg (MS Sociology 2008, BS Biology 1996); and C. A. P. Ward (BFA Communication Arts with a Minor in Painting and Printmaking, 2021). They will discuss their experiences with activism on campus and beyond. A short reception will precede the panel discussion.
Dr. Vineeta Singh, Ph.D., program director for interdisciplinary studies, will moderate the discussion hosted by VCU Libraries Special Collections and Archives. University Archivist Ruth Cody will emcee.
This event is co-sponsored by VCU Alumni.
Speaker Bios:
Moderator:
Vineeta Singh is a scholar of critical and abolitionist university studies who researches the history of student movements and institutional responses. She holds a PhD in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego and currently serves as the Program Director of Interdisciplinary Studies at VCU, where she teaches the intro and capstone courses for BIS majors. She is also an associate editor of Ethnic Studies Review, a UC Press journal, and a fellow of the AAUP’s Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom.
Panelists:
Dale M. Brumfield (BFA, School of the Arts ‘81 and MFA, Humanities and Science ‘15) is a writer, publisher, and activist. While at VCU, he was the production manager of the Commonwealth Times. He founded the publishing outfit Tidal Wave Studios and co-founded ThroTTle Magazine. In 2017, he became field director for Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VADP). His books on independent publishing and Virginia’s penal system include Richmond Independent Press: A History of the Underground Zine Scene (2013) and Closing the Slaughterhouse (2022). In 2021, the Southern Centre for Human Rights in Atlanta awarded Dale the Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award for this abolition work.
Topics: publishing, independent publishing, prison abolition, archival research, writing, public history
IBé Bulinda Hereford Crawley (B.A. in Humanities ’83, MA English ’86) creates artist books using letterpress printing, handmade paper, clay sculptures, stitching and printmaking. Crawley is the founder of IBé Arts Institute, a studio and gallery dedicated to creative fellowship documenting history through art. Crawley’s work is held in the collections of The British Library Treasures Gallery, The Library of Congress, The State Library of Virginia, and elsewhere. Crawley has been the recipient of countless awards, grants, and residencies including an Art-in-Ed Artist’s Book Residency at the Women’s Studio Workshop, the Looks Good on Paper award from Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, a Preservation Virginia Award, and a Boundless Residency from the Minnesota Center for the Book.
Topics: artist’s book, art as activism, archival research, public history
Krissi Vandenberg (MS Sociology ‘08, BS Biology ‘96) has served as the Executive Director of Vegan Action since 2000. She was a co-organizer of Ladyfest Richmond in 2004 and co-ran the former anarchist bookstore The 818 Space in Richmond. She has been a conference workshop presenter at The Southern Girls Convention, Virginia Commonwealth University, Women's Empowerment Now! Conference, C-Fest, Richmond Zine Fest and Girls Rock! with her zines Crucial Sisterhood and Crucial Motherhood. Krissi also had a column about veganism in the Slug and Lettuce Zine. She has been vegan since 1995 and co-founded Richmond Animal Rights Network.
Topics: veganism, non-profits, feminism, organizing, independent publishing
C. A. P. Ward (BFA Communication Arts with a Minor in Painting & Printmaking '21) is a queer black cartoonist and illustrator working on heartfelt genre stories lush with diverse characters & natural imagery. They like vibrant colors, unusual compositions, and overburdening their characters. Recent works of theirs include a short story in the Ignatz-nominated We Belong anthology, coloring Luminous Beings by Jo Pimienta & David Arnold, and an upcoming collaboration with writer Alex Lupp. During their time at VCU they participated in numerous direct actions and were a member of the VCU Student Coalition and the Communication Arts Student Advisory Board.
Topics: direct action, art as activism, LGBTQ+ rights, labor rights, self-publishing
For special accommodations, or to register offline, please contact Frances Burson, communications coordinator, at bursonfa@vcu.edu or 804-827-5363.