VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Growing up in an Air Force family, Amber Carpenter lived all over the world — including Germany, Japan and Hawaii — and had moved almost every year of her life. Until she came to Virginia Commonwealth University in 2017 to study photography and film in the School of the Arts.

Richmond is still home. “And I never want to leave,” she said.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in 2021 — at the height of COVID, which sidetracked her original plans — Carpenter didn’t know what she wanted to do. Her mother, a 20-year elementary school teacher, suggested she merge her passion for art with teaching.

“That’s when I decided to go back to school for art education,” said Carpenter, who graduated in December with a second bachelor’s degree, again from VCUarts. “Since I had already pursued my first degree in photography and film, I was comfortable with the learning environment at VCU. I knew many art education majors and was confident I would receive a high-quality education. Since I am now a local to Richmond, it was very convenient to commute to school, which is within walking distance.”

Plus, she had forged relationships with many professors at VCUarts, including Sarah Midkiff, an assistant professor of photography and film.

Midkiff “was a very impactful figure during my first four years at VCU,” Carpenter said. “She was always willing to help, listen and thoroughly educate me on every photographic process. She had a significant influence on my love of alternative processes like cyanotypes and wet plates. I often think back to Sarah’s classes – her patience, knowledge and her insight.”

Carpenter hopes to share those same qualities with her own students, and she already found student teaching insightful. She also embraced how the program allowed her to work with fellow educators and like-minded future educators, including fellow art education student Jordan Blake.

“His unapologetic confidence, sense of humor and advice have gotten me through the art education program. I feel fortunate to have connected with him, all thanks to the art ed program,” Carpenter said.

She also relished her work with the student-run Ink magazine – she twice contributed photography to its annual print edition – and making a short Halloween film, using a Super 8 camera, for an art foundation film class.

“We hand-developed the film, and a classmate projected it,” Carpenter said. “It was a really fun and unique experience,” she said.

Looking ahead, Carpenter has several job interviews lined up at public schools around the Richmond area.

“It would be wonderful to educate young learners in the area and inspire creativity, potentially even nurturing future art educators,” she said. “I plan to stay in Richmond, as I have built strong relationships with my friends and fellow artists who attended VCU.”