Airing This Month

Sculptor of Sound (October 7-13)

Stephen Vitiello (VCU) is one of the most prominent members of a small but growing field: sound artists. In one of his most memorable works, he attached microphones to the windows of the 91st floor of the World Trade Center to record the creaking of the building. Vitiello’s outdoor installation piece “Whoosh,” played for two weeks in Turin , Italy during the Winter Olympics.

Also featured: Modern notions of fame and celebrity in America began in the 1920’s and 30’s when radio and movies gave stars mass audiences. In his book, What Price Fame, Economist Tyler Cowen (GMU) defends our obsession with celebrity.

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Priscilla’s Homecoming (October 14-20)

Nearly 250 years ago a 10-year old African girl was kidnapped and transported to South Carolina , where she was named Priscilla and sold into slavery. A group of scholars, including Joseph Opala (JMU), have been able to identify one of Priscilla’s modern descendents; an African American woman living in South Carolina. The South Carolina descendant along with Opala, made an extraordinary journey back to Sierra Leone, from where her ancestor seven generations back was kidnapped.

Also featured: David Owusu-Ansah (JMU) speaks about the presence of Muslims in the Virginia slave population of the 19 th century.

Running for Office 101 (October 21-27)

Everyone complains about politics as usual, but a Virginia organization is doing something about it. Sean O'Brien and Coy Barefoot of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership (UVa) are part of a leadership development program for residents of Virginia interested in becoming more active in public service, whether as community leaders or elected officials. The curriculum includes public policy, ethics and campaign strategies.

Also featured: The fact that presidents often seek the most generous interpretation of the powers granted them by the constitution is not surprising -- even George Washington did so. Under some conditions it has been necessary, says Benjamin Kleinerman (VMI).

Art: Where Do You Draw the Line? (October 28-November 3)

Today, artists and designers use new digital technologies to create images. Does this mean the days of teaching drawing by hand to art students are numbered? Colin Ferguson (JTCC) argues that basic instruction in drawing is crucial for young artists’ ability to see the world around them. Also: Suzanne Adams-Ramsey (UVa-Wise) talks about unraveling women’s history as she works to document historic quilts.