Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) – a Qatar Foundation partner university – recently hosted a 'Homecoming' event exclusively for the Classes of 2020 and 2021.
Class of 2018 alumnus and Brazilian filmmaker Dimitri Yuri, was the chief guest. He shared his personal reflection on the paths of discovery, and uncertainty, that artists and designers frequently journey on as they progress through their chosen careers.
Drawing on his own experience as a filmmaker in Doha, Yuri reminded the alumni not to take their failures too seriously. “In a lot of jobs, the client pays for a completed service. In art and design, they pay for the attempt. And you’ll start to realise there’s not really a fundamental difference between the projects that worked, and the projects that didn’t. You were there, doing your best besides the obstacles in your way, and it was either successful, or it wasn’t.”
Dean Amir Berbi?, who welcomed the gathering, said: “Every class is unique, but none more so than the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. Not in a hundred years have VCU students had to experience a pandemic on this scale and intensity. You thrived despite this adversity. You found a way through and showed all of us the art of the possible. And we are incredibly proud of you.”
Lejla Niksic, director, Strategic Engagement, VCUarts Qatar, compered the event. Class of 2021 graduate Enjood al-Kuwari said the evening gave her a much-needed chance to celebrate her four-year journey at VCUarts Qatar.
“All across those four years at VCUarts Qatar, I was planning for the day I’d graduate,” says the alumna. “And to have that moment taken away from me due to the pandemic made me feel that my journey was incomplete. Hence, it was wonderful that VCUarts Qatar would organise this evening for us to get together and celebrate our achievements. I’ll never forget this.”
Cut Izza Alyssa, another alumna, said she was “ecstatic” when she heard of the event. “I want to give a massive shout out to the organisers for arranging this lovely evening that made me feel that as a class, we’ve finally ‘arrived’; that we’re being celebrated. Just to meet and catch up with faculty, staff and my dear friends has been fabulous.”
Drawing on his own experience as a filmmaker in Doha, Yuri reminded the alumni not to take their failures too seriously. “In a lot of jobs, the client pays for a completed service. In art and design, they pay for the attempt. And you’ll start to realise there’s not really a fundamental difference between the projects that worked, and the projects that didn’t. You were there, doing your best besides the obstacles in your way, and it was either successful, or it wasn’t.”
Dean Amir Berbi?, who welcomed the gathering, said: “Every class is unique, but none more so than the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021. Not in a hundred years have VCU students had to experience a pandemic on this scale and intensity. You thrived despite this adversity. You found a way through and showed all of us the art of the possible. And we are incredibly proud of you.”
Lejla Niksic, director, Strategic Engagement, VCUarts Qatar, compered the event. Class of 2021 graduate Enjood al-Kuwari said the evening gave her a much-needed chance to celebrate her four-year journey at VCUarts Qatar.
“All across those four years at VCUarts Qatar, I was planning for the day I’d graduate,” says the alumna. “And to have that moment taken away from me due to the pandemic made me feel that my journey was incomplete. Hence, it was wonderful that VCUarts Qatar would organise this evening for us to get together and celebrate our achievements. I’ll never forget this.”
Cut Izza Alyssa, another alumna, said she was “ecstatic” when she heard of the event. “I want to give a massive shout out to the organisers for arranging this lovely evening that made me feel that as a class, we’ve finally ‘arrived’; that we’re being celebrated. Just to meet and catch up with faculty, staff and my dear friends has been fabulous.”
