The guests were lining up to purchase pieces of his artwork. “There’s lots of love in this room,” said senior Brad Cashman about all of the people who came to see his artwork and that of his fellow students.

Tuesday night opened an exhibition of art from VWC students Cashman, Reece Smith and Bill Lingo. All three of the artists were present to answer questions and explain their art to onlookers. This Spring’s Art Majors Exhibition spotlights Brad Cashman. He will be graduating soon and taking on the world with his art.

There were about 30 people walking back and forth viewing his works, which included graphic designing, black and white photography, pottery and colorful landscapes. Cashman led the group on a tour of each piece, explaining its meaning or background.

“Art controls you when you’re making something,” he said as he explained the reason for a oddly-shaped piece of pottery. After the short tour, Cashman thanked a few people for opening up the door of art for him. He said he never thought of art until he took a beginning art class at VWC. It was then he realized he might have a talent.

With graduation in the near future, Cashman isn’t sure what he is going to do. At the moment he is planning a four-week back-pack trip through Europe. He said when he gets back, he will decide what is next for him. “I’m thinking about the Americorps for a year,” he said. His mother, Nancy Cashman, agreed.

“He’s very individual, and always helps others,” she said of her son. Cashman’s father, Dennis, was also present to see his son shine, as well as many of his art classmates and his brother, who drove down from New Jersey. “Art shows us a lot of who about who we are,” Cashman said to his audience. He plans to continue to explore his options and himself after graduation. In the meantime he, Smith and Lingo will display their works in the Hofhiemer Library until March 21.

If you are interested in purchasing Cashman’s work, contact him at 757-222-9829. You may also contact the artists regarding their work.

Ever heard a good guitar riff on the radio and wanted to learn how to play it? Do you have fantasies of a rock n’ roll lifestyle?

Well, students at Virginia Wesleyan can take a guitar class to learn more about classical guitar music, sight reading and any other type of music they wish. This class is taught by Sam Dorsey, an instructor who comes from Norfolk State University. Dorsey performs with the Chesapeake Guitar Quartet and the Tidewater Guitar Orchestra. He teaches a variety of classes at NSU, ranging from Music History to Belief in Believers: A Survey in World Religion.

“A lot of people are interested in taking this class, and they seem to really enjoy it once they’ve started,” said Dorsey. “They can bring in their own CDs, and I will help them figure out the music.” Sophomore Brandon Mino said, “Right now we are learning about and how to play classic rock, but I would also like to learn some alternative bands, like Dave Matthews.”

The students meet with Dorsey on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, for about on hour, anywhere from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dorsey tries to work around the students schedule and is pretty lenient if they are unable to make the set time. “This class works around my schedule, and it’s definitely a good experience for me,” said Mino.

Along with showing up to class and learning how to play the guitar, the students are required to go see four concerts within the semester. “They need to check different types of music out,” said Dorsey. These trips will give the student a diverse background in the guitar world.

“The concert series this year and last has been great. I really enjoy it,” said freshman Tyler Morgan, who is taking the class for a second time. The students this semester range in their knowledge of guitars. Some of the students are taking the class for the second time, while others are just starting.

“I have students at all levels,” said Dorsey. “I want to make sure they all practice, and if having them practice Creed or Dave Matthews makes them want to practice, then I am all for it.”
“I taught myself how to play the guitar about two years ago,” said Mino. “But since I started taking this class, I’ve already learned so much, and gotten a lot faster.”
“Playing the guitar keeps getting easier, and I am better at sight reading,” said Morgan. “Sam is an amazing musician and a great teacher.”

“I like doing the homework, because it’s not really homework,” added Mino. “Musicians can always get better and better,” said Dorsey. “I have learned a lot from them and my former students. Teaching keeps me current.” The class costs about $200 per semester, and the students have to provide their own guitars. When compared to other places that give lessons, this is one of the cheaper ones.

“This class is absolutely worth the money,” said Morgan. “I have learned so much throughout last semester and this semester.” Mino said, “I might take it again next semester, just so I can continue to learn different songs.” Many of the students who have already taken this class recommend other students take it. “Anyone who is interested in learning how to read music and play classical should definitely try it,”said Morgan.

“I really recommend others to take this class,” said Mino. “Sam can definitely teach you.” Most of these students are taking this class as an elective, which is worth two credits. One doesn’t have to be a music major to take this class; they just need to have an interest in learning about guitars. For more information, contact Lee Jordan-Anders, who is the professor who administers this class.

She is a wife and full-time mother. She is an advocate for women’s studies. She is a professor of Spanish, her native language. She is an enthusiastic dancer.She is a woman dedicated to everything she does, especially dancing.Born in Bolivia, Dr. Mavel Velasco is program coordinator of Women’s Gender Studies and professor of Spanish at VWC.

She came to the United States in 1972 to live with her father and finish her education. Velasco had not planned on staying in the states originally, but she has been here so long that this is her home now. She started dancing when she was 3. Her parents put her in ballet classes after they noticed her passion and talent for dancing. That was just the beginning.

“I love and need to dance,” she said.
Velasco does not have a limit to her dancing. She said she tries to learn all dances she can because she believes it is an easy and fun way to meet other people. It is also an excellent way to learn about other cultures.Other than the traditional Latin dances, she knows how to swing, waltz, merengue, twist and most of today’s house dances. She is willing to try any dance. Maybe one day she will show off the belly dancing she learned while living in Saudi Arabia.

In many cultures, dance is a family affair, which is why she carries on the tradition with her two sons, Sergio, 22, and Alexander, 16. Sergio currently lives in Washington, D.C., and is taking dance lessons with the hope of moving to New York to dance professionally. History major Brett Crehon had the opportunity to dance with Velasco at the opening ceremony of Hispanic Heritage Month last fall at VWC. “She danced well,” he said. “Very confident.”

Crehon said she looked like she knew what she was doing, and he wanted to learn from her. Velasco happily showed him some dance moves and never criticized him for lack of experience.“She made me feel real good about dancing,” he said. “I would love to dance with her again.”Dance is a form of communication, especially between women. Velasco pointed out how women who have never met will gather around in circles and dance, but men rarely, if ever, do.

“I believe women have a profound need to dance,” she said.Velasco recently studied dance in the Dominican Republic. She researched the importance of dance in women’s lives. She found that dance is an important part in the mother-daughter relationship. According to Velasco, most all women in the Dominican start dancing when they are just children.Her studies showed that dance is an essential part of women’s lives. Women don’t have to follow anybody’s lead and can express themselves through dance, as is obvious in many cultures.

Dancing is a link to the past, femininity and rituals. It’s natural. When it comes to dancing, age and shape do not matter, according to Velasco. She said it is the one time when the mind, body and soul work together.“When I dance,” she said, “I feel elevated, spiritual.”She can be found every weekend, dancing her heart out at local clubs. She frequently extends an invitation to her students to join her. She wants her students to experience some of her Latin culture.
Velasco has taught a J-Term in Latin dancing in the past. She has recently submitted a proposal for a course on Latin American Dance and Music to be taught during the Winter Term.

Velasco has lived in Spain, Saudi Arabia and Japan. She has a strong desire to learn about other cultures and does much of her learning through their dances. In her experiences with other cultures Velasco said, “I actually learned more about myself than them.”