The College of the Arts and Communication Spotlight Digital Publication (Winter 2021 Issue)

WINTER Photo credit: Megan Martinelli

2021

2 WINTER 2021 SPOTLIGHT

CONTENTS 1 2 3 4 5

WINTER 2021

Front Cover

Inside Front Cover Contents Dean’s Message January Spotlights Featuring Cristina de Gennaro, Davontae Leak, Dave Maltese & Dr. Carol Frierson-Campbell

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February Spotlights Featuring Dr. Diana Peck, Frank Fagnano, Denzell Littlejohn, Megan Martinelli

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MEGAN MARTINELLI

March Spotlights Featuring Kurt Siegelin, Julie Nagle, Caroline Sanchez, Omarr Kaba

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Year of the Ox

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A View Through My Lens: “Chill Will”

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College-Wide News

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Upcoming Events

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College of the Arts and Communication: Office of the Dean

Inside Cover Photo Credit: Julie Nagle, Department of Art professor A Fin is a Wing is a Limb, 2020 Wood, acrylic, steel, casters, insect collection 4’ x 3’ x 1.5’ Photographed in my studio in front of my painting Afterimage, also 2020, acrylic on canvas.

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YEAR OF THE OX

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CRISTINA DE GENNARO

DR. DIANA PECK SPOTLIGHT WINTER 2021 3

Dean’s Message: A

s we leave the cold of winter behind and turn our thoughts to the renewal of springtime, we look back on all we have accomplished that prepares us for what is to come. In the pages ahead, you will read about students, faculty and alumni who’ve met new people, traveled to various places and had unique experiences all in pursuit of art and their passions. These personal stories remind us to be open, curious, and adaptable either because we love what we are doing or need to change direction. Experiencing something new with intentionality leads to discovery and reinvention – whether in the desert of New Mexico, taking flight in a jet or photographing empty campus spaces; and it can be meeting new people in class and in communities near or far.

Explore the power of saying “yes” to involvement and community engagement; it has a positive impact on ourselves and our environment. We are also reminded to celebrate the new year in both eastern and western traditions. In April, our university community will continue to host events both virtually and in person in safe spaces. Come see Orpheus in the Underworld performed outside on the Shea Plaza. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Loretta Mc Laughlin Vignier Interim Dean College of the Arts & Communication

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Cristina de Gennaro

January’s Adjunct of the Month Department of Art Tell us about your Artist Fellowship residency that will take place at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, New Mexico in the summer of 2021.

I’m really excited to return to Taos because that’s where the “seeds” of the Sage Drawing series began during my residency in 2012. I will be in residence from June through August, and I intend to spend half of my time wandering through the high desert photographing scenes for future work and the other half will be spent in my studio drawing.

What a luxury!

Your work is expansive: performance, painting, drawing and installation.

What area do you enjoy the most?

I’ve enjoyed all of them and feel that they’re all related in terms of my approach and the subjects chosen over time. At the moment, though, my favorite is drawing and it’s a good thing too since that’s what I find myself mostly doing.

Sage Drawing VI. 2015. Acrylic ink on mylar. 12 panels, 48X48 inches overall.

What has been your favorite work of art that you’ve created?

My favorite artwork is always the one I’m working on at the time.

SPOTLIGHT WINTER 2021 5

Davontae Leak

January’s Student of the Month Department of Communication You appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. Tell us about this experience.

Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I aspire to become a latenight talk show host like Jimmy Fallon, who is an idol of mine.

This past September, The Tonight Show tweeted, “We’re looking for participants for an upcoming segment. Fill out this form if you’re interested.” With no hesitation, I immediately completed the form.

Two hours later, I received a call from a producer letting me know that I’d been selected to be featured on a segment where I would have to guess how President Trump would mispronounce words. I remember, while preparing for the segment, I told my girlfriend, “if I can make Jimmy and The Roots laugh, then I’ll be satisfied.” Sure enough, my impression had everyone laughing. It was truly a surreal experience.

What do you enjoy about working at Brave New Radio?

In the past year and a half, I’ve met an amazing group of people who are just as passionate and driven about their crafts as I am. I love creating and being

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surrounded by like-minded people makes me invigorated to continue to work on my craft while learning new things. Having a platform like Brave New Radio, the nation’s #1 college radio station, let’s us all know that our voices are being heard and motivates me to continue thriving.

How has attending William Paterson University impacted you?

WP has taught me the importance of hard work and networking. With opportunities all around us, I think it’s important to be pushed to take chances. The number of opportunities that I’ve taken, while here, have led me to great things. I can’t wait to continue to grow and prosper and make this university proud - as I continue my education and eventually my career.

To watch Davontae’s Student of the Month interview, click the link: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=_92QPYx6C88.

“WP

TAUGHT me the IMPORTANCE of HARD WORK and NETWORKING.” has

Dave Maltese

January’s Alumni of the Month Department of Communication Tell us about your work as a Video Director for The New York Giants.

This is my 30th season with the NY Giants. I started out as an intern in 1991. I’m responsible for the video department, which includes managing staff, training interns, filming and editing, among other duties. I was elected by my peers to sit on the video director’s committee, which governs and regulates the filming, editing, acquisitions and distribution of video departments throughout the NFL. What career advice would you provide to our Department of Communication students?

The advice I would give to the Communication students is the same advice my father, Anthony “Doc” Maltese, gave me on my first day of college: you have to do well in the classroom for your general requirements; however, to succeed in this field, the biggest thing a student can do is “Get Involved.” Get involved with all that William Paterson has to offer!

“GET INVOLVED with all that

WP has to OFFER!”

How has attending William Paterson University impacted your career?

WP impacted my life in many ways.

I made lifelong friends through my fraternity and working on campus.

Attending WP, also gave me the tools to open up doors in the real world after graduation. I gained so much experience by getting involved, which afforded me the opportunity to intern at the NY Giants, which turned into a successful career.

Former NFL players, Lawrence Taylor and Carl Banks, pose with Dave Maltese at MetLife Stadium.

SPOTLIGHT WINTER 2021 7

Dr. Carol Frierson-Campbell January’s Faculty of the Month Department of Music

What instrument(s) do you play and what got you into music?

My principal instruments are the French horn and voice. My mother had been a music teacher before she was married, and she used to make up songs when I was very young to teach me things. She tells me that I sang my first solo at the age of 3 in my grandparents’ church! I started formal music lessons in 4th grade on the violin, and then on the horn in 9th grade (so I could join the marching band).

When I graduated from college, I first wanted to be an orchestral performer but decided that teaching music was more interesting and gave me more creative options.

What advice would you offer to our Music students?

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make a living making music. There are so many ways - but at the same time, don’t insist that the music you know, or the way you learned music is the only way! Most of us got into music for two reasons: it made us feel good and we were good at it. Remember that when you face tough times (and you will - that’s part of life).

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t make a

LIVING making MUSIC.”

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Tell us about the Music After School Project and your work with Paterson Public Schools.

I moved to New Jersey from Corning, New York - a small town upstate - so I was not at all familiar with inner city schools. The first time I observed a student teacher at a Paterson school, I realized that I had a lot to learn about teaching in the city! Fortunately, several opportunities presented themselves - I was in the right place at the right time. First, our College of Education received a grant to create partnerships with schools from inner-city districts, and wanted music involved. So, I approached the Paterson Public Schools (as well as Passaic and Garfield) about setting up professional development workshops for their music teachers. Then the Muna and Basem Hishmeh Foundation approached the Music Department about creating an outreach program for children in Paterson. The Music After School program started in 2008, providing stipends for outstanding WP music students to provide music enrichment for Paterson children in partner schools. Most recently, the Paterson Music Project started, and Music After School was merged with their project because they were in more schools and could offer the children more resources.

Dr. Diana Peck

February’s Faculty of the Month Department of Communication What advice would you offer to our Communication students?

Get involved! It’s been harder this year with COVID, but there are still ways to participate in our department’s activities WPSC radio, The Pioneer Times, The Society of Professional Journalists and The Public Relations Society of America student chapters, the TV Club, the Student Film Association, Lambda Pi Eta—these are some of the organizations where students can practice their professional skills, build their resumes, and create networks of friends and future colleagues. Alumni who were involved in the radio station forty years ago still get together! Through their participation in these department organizations, several of our students have won national awards in radio, television, film and journalism.

Tell us about your experience with the Hurricane Maria relief efforts?

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico.

Its destruction of infrastructure added to the loss of life as people lost access to clean water, electricity, medical services, food, gas, and communication services. My colleague in the department, Dr. Lori Ramos, had close ties to people on the island of Vieques, which is part of Puerto Rico. Several weeks after the hurricane, when one of our students, Tiernan Doyle, interviewed a resident of the island for WPSC Radio, it was clear the people there were still suffering. With support from William Paterson’s administration, we were able to take a team of students to help support the community radio station on the island, WVQR-FM, Radio Vieques. The students were shocked at the island’s condition and the lack of aid that had come from our government. The only power was from generators, access to gas was limited, cell phone service was barely available - even months after the hurricane. We have returned two more times with students to help establish a network of “ham” radio operators in the event of another disaster. Students helped with many projects, including rebuilding trails. In turn, they met with local experts to learn about the island’s political and ecological history. A highlight on the last trip was being able to kayak at night on the world’s best bioluminescent bay. Our students rose to the challenges, comporting themselves as professionals and pitching in without complaint. The trip provided our students with a powerful illustration of the importance of civic engagement and many students called it “life-changing.”

(Center) Stellenbosch University outside of Cape Town, South Africa: Dr. Peck and Tamika, a law student, who has a radio show at mfm 92.6, pose together.

What do you enjoy about teaching in the Communication Department?

The integrated curriculum of the Communication Department is intellectual heaven to me as I strongly believe in viewing all aspects of communication as parts of the same symbolic process. As an “umbrella” department, we offer students the ability to move across all the subdisciplines and see them as linked. A student focusing on film can take an acting class. Journalism students can delve deeply into video and audio production as well as public relations and international aspects of media. Media students can study organizational and intercultural communication.

I love watching students make connections across these different areas as they realize the central role of communication in their professional and personal lives.

The selfish part of teaching is that I get to keep learning. I learn constantly from my colleagues as they share their creative projects and research results. Many of them have lived in other cultures and helped deepen my understanding of places I haven’t visited. Prior to the pandemic, the department was trying to provide more opportunities for students to travel to present papers at conferences. I was fortunate to do this with students at conferences in Toronto and Birmingham, UK and learned from them as we developed the presentations together.

This past semester the courses I taught all required constant attention to new developments in the fastchanging fields of International Media, Global Communication and Media Industries. I loved the challenge of keeping students informed with the latest news in telecommunications.

The controversy over Section 230 of the Telecommunications Act was old news for my students - we had already studied it in October. Continuing to stay informed about media developments around the world is a welcome challenge!

(Bottom) Vieques, Puerto Rico: Dr. Lori Ramos and Dr. Peck pose with students who were in the January 2019 course on Community Media. The picture was taken in front of the ancient iconic Ceiba tree, a symbol of the strength and endurance of Vieques.

SPOTLIGHT WINTER 2021 9

Frank Fagnano

February’s Adjunct of the Month Department of Music You’ve been a freelance engineer and producer since 1983 and earned Platinum Album credits. Who are some artists that you’ve worked with?

I’ve been lucky to work with some very skilled musicians throughout my career, some briefly and some for years.

You may recognize some names like Naughty By Nature, Queen Latifah, Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Hall & Oates, Kathie Lee Gifford, Dolly Parton, or Nancy LaMott. However, there are a lot of them (too many to mention) that are not household names, whose talents are exemplary, and with whom I am so humbled to have worked.

You’re the co-founder of Repeat After Me, an experimental mixed media electro-acoustic group. Tell us about the group.

Repeat After Me was named by cofounder and dear friend Phil King, a WP Jazz alum. The group emerged from a long series of conversations between Phil and I regarding music we loved, and how we might try to push the limits of various music technologies that were available outside the lab or the ivory tower. The live performances were a combination of composed and improvised material that featured a wide array of amplified acoustic and electronic percussion instruments, a battery of synthesizers, our voices,

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MIDI sequencing and hard-disk audio playback, using a dedicated music computer with an old-style CRT screen, and all this run through several audio mixers and dynamically manipulated signal processors.

The music was a stylistic mix of electronic ambient textures, drones, minimalism, jazz-based harmonic material, ethnically inspired rhythms, spoken word and various chant-like vocalizing. A short while into the venture, we invited electric guitar and guitar synth guests, including WP’s Ted Clancy, WP Jazz alum (the late) Ed Thompson, and eventually the wonderful electric guitar “texturist,” Rolf Sturm, who stayed on with the group until its demise late in 1995.

That trio, at its peak, occupied an approximately 500 square foot equipment-packed stage, which took over 5 hours to set up. It was a huge undertaking but we had fun. Alas, with the music technology of the 2020s, much of it could be handled in software on a few laptops, iPads, and a small collection of MIDI controllers. You never know - Repeat After Me might see a resurrection.

What career advice would you offer to students pursuing an Audio Engineering career?

To begin with, there are so many branches of the audio engineering world. Most young engineers obviously think of music recording/production and live music engineering first but there are numerous audio gigs in film,

television, audio books, podcasting, live broadcast, sports, theatre and stage.

There’s audio for video games, virtual reality, immersive media, multimedia presentations, planetariums, museums, and the like, as well as A/V for various events, conferences, corporate functions, fashion, etc. These are just some of the “end-user” type audio jobs in the market. There are other audio related ahvenues, such as installation design, studio or acoustic design, instrument and equipment design, and so forth. Young engineers might consider some of these audio career paths.

Further, as music recording and production have been my primary focus, I could reflect directly on this area.

I have always felt that the greatest and most respected music engineers have frequently been musicians and music producers as well. Having a strong and varied skill set, as well as a wide musical vocabulary are requirements for both artistry and success. Learning about some audio gear or a piece of software just isn’t enough. This philosophy is something that threads through everything I teach at WP. Lastly, the music industry is about change - and NOT just changes in the music itself. With the advent of the internet, the last two decades have been witness to some of the most rapid changes in music technology, delivery pipelines, and promotional methods, as well as consumer attitudes, tastes, and demographics. Due to this, we have experienced a radical morphing of music business models and

“NOW MORE THAN EVER, OUR INDUSTRY IS ABOUT BRANCHING, RETHINKING, AND REINVENTING OURSELVES. SO, PARTICIPANTS NEED A MUCH BROADER COLLECTION OF SURVIVAL SKILLS, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH ARE FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY.” the structure of the industry itself.

Young engineers need to study, learn from, and be inspired by the past, have a keen eye on the horizon, while always being in the moment, focused, and keeping their head above them.

Denzell Littlejohn

February’s Alumni of the Month Department of Art Tell us about your work.

I’m a graphic designer and illustrator.

Recently, I delved more into the illustrative side of my skills by creating character designs for businesses and cosplayers, which is an activity and performance art, where participants called “cosplayers” wear costumes to represent a specific character, usually from well-known fandoms.

You’re a cosplay artist. Tell us about cosplay and how you became interested in the artform.

At WP, I formed many friendships – many are peers from the university’s Art Department and the majority of them were involved in cosplay, which is dressing up as a character from a video game, book or movie. My friends taught me about the cosplay culture.

Over time, I attended Renaissance Fairs and Comic-Con Conventions and saw crowds of people dressing as their favorite characters. This really intrigued me and what heightened my interest was when one of my favorite professors from the Art Department, Dr. Claudia Goldstein, taught a class on comic book history. From that point, it left a great mark on my life

and I wanted to develop a way to give back to the cosplay and comic book communities with my artwork. Today, I have serviced over 100 cosplayers in creating artwork for them and giving them merchandise to expand their passion into business.

You recently appeared on The Black Cosplay Booster (BCB) podcast.

Tell us about this.

In 2020, I was accepted into the Black Cosplay Boosters Group, which highlights black cosplayers. Being accepted into this group was not only humbling but it also afforded me the opportunity to network with other creatives. Hence, this podcast interview, which allowed me to discuss my work with other creatives. After the interview, I had a warm feeling that let me know that I’m on the right creative track and will continue to focus on this area of design.

Images by Denzell Littlejohn

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Megan Martinelli

February’s Student of the Month Department of Art How long have you been doing photography and what prompted you to pick up a camera?

I’ve been doing photography for at least eight years.

My first interaction with a camera was when a family member bought one and I was able to borrow it and play around taking landscape photos. My interest in freezing a beautiful moment in time grew as well as the thrill of adventuring to find hidden and interesting places to photograph. These adventures led me to abandoned places, which in turn, blossomed my love for giving life and attention to these forgotten places.

How has attending William Paterson University impacted you – particularly your photography?

Attending William Paterson has opened my photos to be seen by many not only in the classroom but also pertaining to my photography internship. It has led to more input into my work as well as critiques that allow me to view my work in a different light.

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve received from an Art professor pertaining to your photography?

Being told to photograph what I want and what makes me happy, not what others think I should photograph is the best piece of advice I have been given about my photography.

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Kurt Siegelin

March’s Adjunct of the Month Department of Communication What advice would you offer to students interested in Broadcast Journalism?

Write a lot, become a very good videographer and editor, and watch a lot of broadcast or digital news. From watching, you’ll start to pick up on industry standards and realize what will be expected of you. Here’s another one – don’t wait for class assignments to do the work. If you’re passionate about it, storytelling and editing should already be “hobbies” that you’re doing outside of school time. Lastly, internships. They afford tremendous networking opportunities. It’s been a disappointing year in that regard as a lot of companies ditched internships altogether because of COVID, but you really do need to immerse yourself in a culture of where you’d potentially want to work: 1) To see how you fit in: Do you like it or not? 2) For the people you will meet - these people will write letters of recommendation for you and/or make a difference in whether you get a job or not.

So, when you get that internship, make an impact. Meet people.

Get to know them all and (hopefully) make a good impression on them all. You just never know which relationship is going to pay off for you later. I don’t say that to be calculating. You should want to be doing this. At its core, broadcasting is about connecting and communicating with others, right? So, this should be a given.

Share one of your most memorable stories that you covered?

Being a journalist provides for many unique opportunities. No two days are the same and you will be allowed access to places the general public will not. So, understanding that, there’s no question what’s number one for me. A few years ago, the Air Force Thunderbirds were flying at the Atlantic City Airshow. The NJ Air National Guard wanted to publicize their visit so they were giving media people backseat rides in an F-16. How to describe that! I got to experience the life of an Air Force fighter jet pilot for a couple days: the training, the briefings and a flight. We went up with another plane, practiced dogfighting, pulled 8Gs and “strafed” the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. Just incredible! I’ve always been a huge fan of military aviation so I just don’t know how that experience will ever be topped.

On News 12 NJ, you cover a segment, 3 Things to Know. In your opinion, what are 3 things that Broadcast Journalism students should know?

Three things every broadcast journalist should know include the following:

1. Become the best videographer and editor you can be. The days of having some other person handle those jobs are gone.

Your entry level job will most likely be as a multi-media journalist, meaning it’s all on you. Those technical skills will elevate your storytelling.

2. Broadcast journalism is a learned skill so reps are very important. It’s like training to be a good golfer. You have to

practice. So, practice! Go write and shoot stories on your own. Do not wait for it to be assigned in a class. You should be doing stories daily/weekly on your own. Write stories about friends and neighbors. Cover events in your town - just for practice. You’ll develop good work habits and you’ll be surprised how much of a better storyteller you become.

3. If you want to be an on-air broadcaster, be ready to move. This is a tough reality. You live in the number one media market in the country. Reporters and anchors all over the country want to move here. It’s very hard to find entrylevel on-air work in the tri-state area.

Those jobs are going to go to people with many years of experience. So, you have to go get that experience, which means you might need to move to Rochester, MN or Beaumont, TX. After you get those small market reps, you can start to think about getting back here. That’s a hard reality given family considerations.

If you want to write or be a producer behind the scenes, you can absolutely start in this area. It’s a difficult challenge, however, if you want to be in front of the camera. There’s a sense of adventure in it, though. I grew up in Las Vegas. I’ve lived in Reno, Spokane, Detroit and of course, New Jersey. As a west coaster, living and working in NJ for 25 years, I couldn’t possibly have imagined it way back when. In class, I point to students and say, “You could be a main anchor in Phoenix one day” or ‘You could be a sports reporter in Houston.” You have to be open to those possibilities.

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Julie Nagle

Your work, Slumber Underground: Interspecies Burrow, was featured in The New York Times and was on view at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan. What inspired you to create this piece?

What are the joys of being an artist?

Slumber Underground: An Interspecies Burrow is a great example of a project melding field work with fantastical sculpture. In 2017, I was invited to join a radically collaborative group of artists and scientists who create artworks together called Omnibus Filing and received a sub-award from the National Academies Keck Futures Initiative. Slumber Underground is a model of a ground hog burrow I scaled up so people can crawl inside to encourage empathy with nature. I began by studying existing burrows with Ground Penetrating Radar and Arthoscopic cameras, then wove my version out of rattan and found materials.

I took soil samples, which Rachel Field, BioMechanical Engineer, analyzed in her lab at Columbia University. I lined the inside of my burrow with felt sculptures of the bacteria she identified. The opening at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan was thrilling. Children created games and tossed the bacteria sculptures around during the opening and were enthralled by the video footage of Chewy, the groundhog I filmed. In the end, the piece is about stacked habitats and appreciating the creatures who live around, under, and inside of us.

March’s Faculty of the Month Department of Art

What I love most about being an artist is fostering curiosity and following it to discovery. I’ve cultivated a studio practice where I learn from every project I create, and get to constantly investigate new subjects and processes. I entwine those discoveries with my independent thoughts and emotional responses to make fantastical experiences for others. Most of my artworks are interactive, so I get to observe the discoveries and sense of play in my audience when they engage with them directly.

What do you enjoy about teaching in the Department of Art?

I work with incredible artists and writers in my Department.

The faculty have great rapport with each other and I’ve learned so much from working with them for the past four years. The students perfectly balance down to earth maturity with wild creativity and are open to seeking the potential greatness in each other’s work. No matter what is going on in the outside world, I am filled with enthusiasm when I enter the classroom to work with them.

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mo

C F to

Caroline Sanchez

March’s Alumni of the Month Department of Music You’ve worked as a freelance audio technician and technology consultant. Tell us about some of your clients and productions.

Revelations in Darkness, 2019 Green-sustainable resin, blown glass, steel, hydrophone, amp, speaker, aquatic plants and mystery snails 6’ x 4.5’ x 1.5’

“What I LOVE

most about being an

ARTIST

is fostering

CURIOSITY and FOLLOWING it DISCOVERY.”

I was extremely fortunate to be thrown into the world of broadcast audio through an internship with Music Mix Mobile, a mobile recording company that was doing the live stream for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in 2012. Since then, I have worked on a variety of shows – Saturday Night Live, Good Morning America, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The GRAMMY Awards, and The MET: Live in HD to name a few.

My information technology chops come from ongoing work with the Enterprise Systems team at William Paterson and has branched out into consulting for production and entertainment companies that require a technology specialist with a true understanding of their industry.

All live events are supported by a technology heavy backbone and navigating that space has become a specialized job. It is a fun mix of geeky meets rock n’ roll.

What advice would you offer to our Music students?

Stay grounded, diversify your skillset, and never stop attending shows as an audience member. There may be moments when you feel the magic of a career in music slipping – do not panic or get discouraged. Work, even in the field of entertainment, is still work. Balancing that work with incredible personal experiences is the glue that keeps the dream intact.

Tell us about your work as a poet and musician.

I have been playing flute since the third grade and would not be here answering questions about a career in audio without the profound influence music has had on my life (shoutout to every music educator

I have ever had – thank you!).

These days, I am playing for myself and missing the large ensemble experience terribly – it is my hope to join a community orchestra when it becomes safe to do so. I have also been writing since a young age. In the last few years, submitting poetry has been a way to extend beyond my comfort zone and learn more about the publication process. Exploring how writing and music inform each other serves as both creative release and professional development, and I’m humbled by how lucky that statement is.

“Stay GROUNDED, DIVERSIFY your SKILLSET, and never stop

ATTENDING shows as an AUDIENCE MEMBER.”

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Omarr Kaba

March’s Student of the Month Department of Music Who are some of your favorite musical artists and who would you like to collaborate with?

“My LOVE for music INSPIRES me to make

MUSIC. Being able to CREATE is LIBERATING.”

I have so many favorite artists!

Some of them are Jazmine Sullivan, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson & Beyoncé. My #1 dream collaboration has to be Jazmine Sullivan. I’d also love to work with producers, Rodney Jerkins and Timbaland.

What inspires you to create music?

My love for music inspires me to make music. It’s truly the only thing I can never get tired of doing. Being able to create is liberating. Also, the fact that music can positively affect and influence the listener, makes me want to create music. I want my music to do to others what the music of others does to me, which is change and positively impact lives.

What are some of your favorite WP music courses?

Some of my favorite WP music courses that I’ve taken are: Songwriting, Pop Vocal Ensemble, Chamber Music (a class that allows student to create their own ensemble).

Last year, my friends, Khalil King and Rajaun Hailey, created an R&B Ensemble and Ear Training. These classes were not only informative but fun.

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YEAR OF

OX

THE

The Center for Chinese Art in collaboration with the Departments of Art and Communication, exhibited Chinese New Year Woodblock Prints Exhibition in celebration of the Year of the Ox. The exhibition was from February 10, 2021 –February 28, 2021.

1. Chinese

New Year Woodblock Prints Exhibition at Power Art Gallery.

2. Flowers of Wealth and Distinction in Blossom

Printed from original Qing dynasty woodblocks Szhou, Jiangsu province, China 12x19.5”

The peony is popularly regarded as a symbol of wealth and distinction.

This print features several peony flowers and osmanthus in full blossom and pomegranate fruits ripe and cracked revealing scores of pips and peaches offered as a birthday present transplanted in a vase, reflecting people’s wish for riches, honor, more sons, greater fortune and a long life. Shown in the lower part is the zither, chess, calligraphy and paintings, suggestive of the leisure and refined taste of wealthy and noble families. It is representative of Taohuawu woodblock New Year prints with good luck as the theme.

3. Door God Zhao Gongming

Modern print from original Qing dynasty woodblocks Suzhou, China, 8z12” Zhao Gongming is a god in Taoism.

Legend has it that Zhao, a hermit of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), went into the mountains to cultivate himself according to the Taoist doctrine and became a disciple of Divine Master Zhang. He served as guardian of the Xuan Altar, hence his appointment of Marshal of the Xuan Altar by the Emperor of Heaven. Here Zhao Gongming, a warrior with a

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black beard on a black face and in a suit of armor, is riding a tiger, an iron bian (a weapon in ancient China) in the right hand and a shoe-shaped gold ingot in the left.

4. Women Are on a Fishing Excursion with Fishes

Printed from original woodblocks in collection of Hermit Xiao in 1535 Shaanxi, China. 11x14”

The print depicts a pair of fisher girls under a willow tree with graceful posture, bright costumes, and a woman with a pole on her back, carrying fresh fish of the scene. Artists use artistic exaggeration to paint the image of the fisherwoman to give people a sense of beauty, but without losing the truth of life. The fisherman is happy, and there is a good blessing for the prosperity of life. It is an outstanding folk print in the Ming Dynasty.

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A VIEW THROUGH MY LENS: “Chill Will”

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By: Megan Martinelli Junior, Department of Art Student & COAC Office of the Dean Photography Intern

T

his Winter at William Paterson University has been the most chilly in relation to what I can remember from my past on-campus experiences. This year, during the Winter months, my trips to campus have been quiet and snow-filled with very few people in sight. These photos of “Chill” Will[iam Paterson], represent the serene atmosphere that makes up campus in the Winter and during a pandemic.

SPOTLIGHT WINTER 2021 19

College-Wide News: Dr. S. Pixy Ferris completed her new book with William Paterson University’s President Emerita Kathy Waldron on Higher Education Leadership: Pathways and Insights.

William Paterson’s Society of Professional Journalists (WPSPJ), under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Hirshon, was congratulated by NBC’s Nightly News anchor, Lester Holt, CNBC anchor, Shepard Smith, and Fox News Sunday host, Chris Wallace, for winning “Campus Chapter of the Year.”

Dr. Angie Yoo and Dr. Jin-A Choi, Department Communication professors, published a book chapter Handbook of e-Tourism. The chapter is entitled, Trust e-Tourism: Antecedents and Consequences of Trust Travel-related User-Generated Content.

of in in in

Department of Art professor, Leslie Nobler’s proposal, Dimensional Artist’s Books and Digital Design – Stories of Inspiring Creative Women has been accepted for the Fifteenth International Conference on Design Principles & Practices, University of Monterrey.

Rebecca Costantini, ’16, an alumnus of Professional Communication, is completing studies at Texas A&M and has been offered Professor of Communication position at the Science in Philadelphia.

the M.A. in her doctoral an Assistant University of

WP Voice presented Steam Train from SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD by James Robert Brown. This was the eighth video in the 2020 musical theatre series. To watch the video, click on the link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=apwiJOGqu6o.

In memory of the late Gary Kirkpatrick, Department of Music professor, who taught at the university from 19722019, Justin Kauflin, Department of Music alumnus, paid tribute to Kirkpatrick through music and reflections in his musical livestream, JK’s Sunday Hymns & Things. To listen to this episode, click the link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=TCGWuwqz97g.

Ike Ejiochi, Department of Communication alumnus, was recently hired as ABC’s Washington-based Multi-Platform Reporter: http://bit.ly/3coLnS5.

20 WINTER 2021 SPOTLIGHT

Upcoming Events: Juror’s Talk and Award Ceremony April 20, 2021, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Online Jurors share insights on their selections and announce awards for outstanding artworks.

Fertile Ground Location: Court Gallery On view until May 7, 2021 Info: On the occasion of the retirement of Professor of Art Elaine Lorenz, this exhibition showcases Lorenz’s sculptures inspired by the natural world alongside works by her former ceramic students: Leslie Adler, David D’Ostilio, Amal Elnahrawy, Kara Kovach, Deborah Guzmán Meyer, Diana Jean Puglisi, Marcos Salazar, Jason Schneider, and Sarah Van Vliet.

Here/Now: A Juried Exhibition of Student Artwork Location: South Gallery On view until May 5, 2021 Info: Juried by Department of Art faculty Leslie Nobler, Lily Prince, and Steve Rittler, this exhibition highlights student artwork in diverse media.

WP Opera presents ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD Dates & Time: April 21, 2021, 6 p.m.

April 23, 2021, 6 p.m.

April 25, 2021, 6 p.m.

Location: Outdoors – Shea Plaza Info: www.wppresents.org Jazz Room Series at Home presents The WPU Latin Jazz Ensemble, directed by Chico Mendoza Guest artist – bassist Ron Naspo Date & Time: April 25, 2021, 4 p.m.

Location: Online Info: www.wppresents.org WP Presents! Virtual Wednesdays: The Silhouettes present Golden Moments Date & Time: April 28, 2021, 8 p.m.

Location: Online Info: www.wppresents.org WP Choirs Concert: DARING TO SPRING Date & Time: April 30, 2021, 7 p.m.

Location: Online Info: www.wppresents.org Jazz Room Series at Home presents The Steve LaSpina Quartet Date & Time: May 2, 2021, 4 p.m.

Location: Online Info: www.wppresents.org

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Upcoming Events Continued: WP Presents! Virtual Event: Mariachi Divas – A Virtual Cinco de Mayo Concert Celebration Date & Time: May 5, 2021, 8 p.m.

Location: Online Info: www.wppresents.org Jazz Room Series at Home presents Houston Person and Bill Charlap Date & Time: May 9, 2021, 4 p.m.

Location: Online Info: www.wppresents.org

22 WINTER 2021 SPOTLIGHT

College of the Arts & Communication Office of the Dean: Loretta Mc Laughlin Vignier, Interim Dean Dr. Lauren Fowler-Calisto, Dean’s Fellow & Assistant to the Dean & Associate Professor, Department of Music Lavene Gass, Marketing & Community Liaison Amy Nemery, Executive Staff Assistant Rosario Urena, Administrative Staff Assistant Kaeli Brady, Intern: Graphic Designer Tekoa Criddell, Intern: Graphic Designer Megan Martinelli, Intern: Photographer John Conlow, Intern: Videographer Julianne Kearns, Intern: Social Media

Interviews & Edits by: Lavene Gass Layout Design by: Kaeli Brady To submit news, email Lavene Gass at gassl1@wpunj.edu SPOTLIGHT WINTER 2021 23

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