Virginia Commonwealth School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) recently held an event for its students as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. The event was one of several that the university has been holding in its 20th year, which opened in 1998 and was originally called the Shaqab College of Design Arts.
The first degree programmes in Fashion Design and Graphic Design in 1999 followed the establishment of its Art Foundation programme in 1998.
Students, faculty and staff gathered in the Atrium to take part in Virginia Commonwealth University-themed board games and other games and activities, including having their photographs taken at a 20th anniversary photo booth.
The event began with an introduction by assistant dean for student affairs Valerie Jeremijenko, who said: “As someone who has been here for close to 17 of the 20 years, I have been witness to the work of all the faculty, all the staff and all our amazing students and alumni, as we have worked towards cultivating the arts, igniting imaginations and changing the perception of art and design in Qatar. We have come a long way in 20 years and made a very big impact.” 
Her comments were echoed by executive dean Dr Donald N Baker, who said: “VCUarts Qatar is proud to be part of Qatar National Vision 2030 and proud to have been cultivating the arts and igniting imagination to build the future for the past 20 years.” 
Student Government Association president Anusheh Zaman and interim manager, International Education & Student Programming, LaKisha Tillman also addressed the assembled students before joining the dean and other student association presidents on the Atrium’s stage to cut a large cake that was bedecked with the 20th anniversary logo.
The attendees also received specially created 20th anniversary souvenirs such as mugs and badges.
VCUarts Qatar also recently opened an exhibition called Hindsight, a collection of photographs showing the university’s faculty and staff when they were in their twenties.
“Many of our students are in their twenties now and we thought it would be great fun to show them that we too were once in our twenties, even though that may have been many decades ago. It shows another side of the faculty and staff to our students, and ultimately it brings us all closer as a family, which is one of VCUarts Qatar’s biggest strengths”, said Mike Gallagher and Michael Hersrud, who curated the exhibition.