VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

This month, nationally renowned artist Noah Scalin, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business’ first ever artist-in-residence, will present his first pop-up installation at the school.

Scalin will begin “Portrait of Innovation: Maggie Walker” in the Snead Hall Atrium, 301 W. Main St., on Oct. 10. The artist and several VCU School of Business students will arrange clothing donated by students, faculty and staff to create a 30-foot-by-10-foot portrait of Walker based on a photograph provided by The Valentine museum. A reception will be held upon its completion Monday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m.

Walker, a Richmond businesswoman, became the first female African-American bank president in the United States in the early 1900s.

“As a successful businesswoman of color, Maggie Walker represents the diverse students who are currently enrolled at the School of Business,” Scalin said. “As the first woman to charter a bank in America, she was a true pioneer in her time and the embodiment of the values the school wants to instill in its students. She was also a resident of the neighborhood that abuts VCU, so recognizing her importance helps the school show that it is thoughtfully connected to its community.”

The installation is just one component of Scalin’s residency at the school during the 2016–17 academic year. Charged with helping the school institute its new strategic plan, which aims to drive the future of business through the power of creativity, Scalin will conduct several creative-thinking seminars and guest lectures. The university community is already taking part in a 30-day Creative Sprint challenge that Scalin issued Oct. 1.

“It’s wonderful that the School of Business recognizes the transformative power of art,” Scalin said. “The opportunity for connection, collaboration and dialogue allows the students to have a more in-depth learning experience, which will not only enhance their classroom experiences, but their lives beyond the school’s walls as well.”

Scalin founded and co-runs the art and innovation consulting firm Another Limited Rebellion, which works with clients such as GE, Altria, Capital One, Gap, Intuit and Mozilla. He is creator of the Webby Award-winning Skull-A-Day project and the author of five books on art, design and creativity. His art has been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally, including the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, the International Museum of Surgical Science in Chicago and Krause Gallery in New York. He has been featured in dozens of publications, including Fast Company, Business Destinations, Wired, USA Today, The Telegraph and The New York Times.

The work will remain on display at Snead Hall through Wednesday, Oct. 19. Once dismantled, the clothes will be donated to Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia.