“When people think of Israel they think of the conflict,” states senior English and Psychology major Jonathan Levin.

Craig Dershowitz, founder and Executive Director of Artists 4 Israel, along with artists Mike Beca, Broker and  Lostoe kicked of the artwork by spray-painting the Scarlet Knight onto the canvas.

“We travel to thirty to forty campuses and paint,” mentions Dershowitz.

The Center for Israel Engagement is the committee of Rutgers Hillel which brought Artists 4 Israel to Rutgers for everyone to enjoy. The interactive event drew members and non-members of Rutgers Hillel on College Avenue to participate. Although there were a few people overwhelmed with what to spray-paint they soon picked up a can and began to let the art and movement speak.

“This is an awesome event. Who doesn’t wanna be able to graffiti without getting in trouble,” shares sophomore Psychology Laura Faiwiszewski.

Switching from hash tags like #RUHillel to spray-painting the Israeli Flag on the canvas students got a chance to spread the culture and art even more by getting a t-shirt designed by one of the members of Artists 4 Israel.

Learn more about Rutgers Hillel and their events here!

Article by Yegide Matthews

Photographs by Daisy Fernandez

Third years, Joshua Torres and Crystal Dilone, were the bubbly and exciting co-hosts for the eventful night. The exciting and glamorous show held a clothing drive collection for the Salvation Army for all who attended.

Co-hosts Joshua Torres and Crystal Dilone

Audience members won best-dressed prizes!

Raymond Croft and Angel Tavarez, co-founders of Crew Love Apparel, were the only designers from Rutgers at the event. They showcased their new line which was released on March 31 and favorites from the beginning of their voyage.

Starting their company one year ago, they stuck to the symbols of the brand, hearts and anchors. This season the young men venture into new looks.

“We dived into being designers,” mentions Croft. Crew Love truly depicts what they stand for, building a community and spreading the message of love.

“We personified the meaning of love on a shirt,” states Tavarez, when talking about the changes for their current line.

Crew Love Apparel

Alaska and Jamaal pride themselves on their determination and all-American brand Faded Royalty. Since 2006 the young men along with their team founded the clothing line and keeps everything “Made in the USA.”

Jamaal’s love for designing started with his interest in fashion photography. Alaska’s drive comes from wanting something different.

“I worked in retail; urban and street stores. I wanted to see certain things and you have to do it yourself,” dishes Alaska.

Over the long hours and hard work the brand has three store locations to it’s name.

Faded Royalty

Humble and driven Dioanna Roberts is the founder of Blind Sight Apparel. Her selections of the night were inspired by the popular sport of baseball. This is a different path from the fashion tribal prints the young designer frequently produces.

Roberts began to design in the 7^th grade by playing around with cardboard cutouts and spray-painting the patterns onto a shirt.

“It’s not about the dollar. It’s something you do to make yourself better. It’s the compliment,” Roberts shares on her success.

Blind Sight Apparel

Co-founders Twesh Chowdhury, James Parker, and Andy Charles founded the edgy brand Bomba Dulce.

What started off as a hobby for the Rowan University students turned into a career. The eye catching prints and designs were soon noticed by others.

“It’s not just about fashion, we want to create a lifestyle,” mentions Chowdhury.

Bomba Dulce

If you missed out on the exciting and charitable EXPoseURE Fashion Show be sure to check out some of the great looks from the designers!

Greek Life members enjoyed their time strolling down the runway and representing their organization!

By Yegide Matthews 

Their trip to the annual Environmental Film Festival in Washington, D.C during spring break was their first time taking a long-distance trip. During their trip they watched new environmental films that came from all over the country and world.

They saw films such as The Last Ocean,” “My Louisiana Love,” and “Jane’s Journey.” Ruchi Patel, S.E.A President says “It was an exciting and inspirational experience; the movies we had the privilege of seeing were eye-opening to say the least.”

Beach Clean Up at Belmar Beach

S.E.A at the climate rally march in D.C.

President of S.E.A, Ruchi Patel, at the forward on climate rally in D.C.

Students had fun making the beach a safer and cleaner place to relax.

S.E.A on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the D.C Film Festival.

More fun cleaning the beach.

S.E.A being S.E.A.

S.E.A with Peter Young, the filmmaker of the “Last Ocean.”

Article by Daisy Fernandez  

Photos by S.E.A

Countries such as Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Persia, Palestine, and Egypt were among the many Mediterranean countries being presented. From Arabic poetry to the Zorba (a Greek Dance form), each individual showed off their pride for their country and wooed the audience with their talents.

Mr. Greek dances the Zorba

Mr. Italian serenading the audience

Mr. & Mrs. Georgia

Mr. Palestinian reciting poetry from the heart

Mrs. Greece singing her way to the top

Mrs. Persia

The finalist

Mr. & Mrs. Portugal

By: Daisy Fernandez

Some days, Stephenson begins working in his studio at 6 a.m.

Stephenson found painting to be even more enjoyable once taking classes at Mason Gross.

After he attends graduate school, Stephenson hopes to move to New York and work his way up in the art world.

Students at Mason Gross can sign up for studio space in their third year.

“I wanted to find a school that had professors that not only taught, but were artists themselves, actively making work, and dealing with the same kinds of issues and feelings that I have as an artist,” Stephenson explains.

At Mason Gross, there is a “willingness to help and give constructive criticism.” Stephenson believes he wouldn’t be the artist he is without Rutgers. “I’ve been given the time, space and opportunity to make work, discuss it and learn from it.”

Stephenson began doodling and drawing in first grade.

Stephenson’s dream is to create work that people enjoy and want to hang in their homes.

By Sam Kelly

Students shared experiences of how they perceive themselves in interracial relationships and how others do too . The event was located at the Livingston Student Center where Students picked up items from the buffet that ranged from a colorful assortment of flavored condom pops, kisses  and bon -bons.

The buffet was set up by the Children’s AIDS Network, a campus organization dedicated to promoting the Red Ribbon campaign which is an HIV/AIDS awareness and education initiative targeted to Rutgers students.

By Omolara Animashaun

In his time at Rutgers, Hilger has performed stand-up at RUPA open mic nights, the local Stress Factory comedy club, and, most recently, he opened for Judah “World Champion” Friedlander’s stand-up at the Rutgers Student Center.

When asked about meeting the infamous trucker-hat-wearing 30 Rock star, Hilger said that it was “cool to see someone so famous be so approachable,” adding that he thinks “whether someone acts arrogant or cool backstage just depends on the comedian as a person.”

With thriving programs in theatre, filmmaking and writing, Rutgers is an ideal environment for creative students to carve out their own niche in the world of performance. Although Hilger began doing stand-up the summer before he came to Rutgers, he cites his decision to come to Rutgers as a personal turning point.

“The first college I went to was not for me. Very isolated, not much going on, and the campus was in a swamp. So I left before first semester ended. Coming to Rutgers was awesome cause I almost immediately made a bunch of friends who were all looking to pursue comedy on all fronts,” Hilger explains.

These friendships led Hilger to co-found the sketch comedy show Rutgers Night Live with fellow SAS senior Dominick Nero.

Their cast of peers boasts an eclectic mix of student performers from different majors and schools; the group managed to sell out all six of their shows to date.

Through the English department at Rutgers, Hilger was able to take writing courses tailored to his interests that let him refine both his comedic and dramatic material, including course work in non-fiction, screenwriting and playwriting.

While stand up is his prerogative, Hilger  also writes for the stage. He’s penned two plays for the Cabaret Theatre, including a short one-act called “Brick Wall” that will run this weekend, March 8-10, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 8PM, and on Sunday at 7PM.

Hilger insists that while stand-up was, at first, a “terrifyingly new medium,” it is ultimately his favorite.

Through performing with and for his peers at Rutgers, Hilger’s discovered his love for  ”any kind of performing and writing.” Stand-up, he says, is “a strange combination of the two.”

By  Crissy Milazzo

Photos by Adam Volerich

Following the tradition of the original Apollo Night, the popularity driven event showcased rappers, poets, and singers. The audience applauded their favorite acts, while the lesser enjoyable acts were literally swept off stage.

Co-Hosts Mike Pierre and Aleph Pantaleon kept the audience excited between acts with their jokes and dance moves.

Reyhan Early’s poem sent shivers through the crowd.

Wura Kolawole dazzled in her cover of Rihanna’s chart topping song ‘Stay.’

Chris Wilcox stage performance got everyone ready for a night of hip-hop music!

Not everyone’s true talent was recognized at the fun filled event.

Angel Tavarez changed perspective with his women empowerment spoken words piece.

Jenetta Greaves stole the night away and won the grand prize with her dream inspring vocals!

Katherine Robertson shook everyone up with her powerful voice. She battled it out with the final winner before the audience made their decision.

Twese Dance Troupe wowed the crowd with their guest performance.

By Yegide Matthews

Bellaimey has been acting since he was five when his mother entered him into “Theater Nest,” the summer theater camp run by the park board of his hometown.

“I love performing I think it’s because there’s just something wired differently in my brain,” Bellaimey mentions.

While many people cringe at the thought of being onstage, Carter feels at ease. He loves acting because “it allows you to be unabashedly curious and explore those curiosities.”

At The Little Theater, Bellaimey learns the Michael Chekov technique.

Studying “Spoon River Anthology” by Edgar Lee Masters.

The Little Theater is rumored to be haunted.

A few names from the list of Bellaimey’s favorite actors include Allison Janney, Paul Newman, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep. His favorite movies change frequently, but right now Cool Hand Luke, American Beauty, Milk and V for Vendetta are his top choices.

Most of his classes are on Douglass campus, where the theaters are located.

A glimpse of the costume department in the Nicholas music center.

“When I auditioned, I instantly had an affinity for the place,” Bellaimey said. He chose to audition for Mason Gross because of its reputation. Bellaimey chose to attend because of the faculty and students.

He is more than happy with his decision, as Rutgers has “really helped [him] discover who [he] is and what kind of artist [he wants] to be.”

“I am so inspired by the people I get to go to school with, and learn from,” Bellaimey explained. “It’s too much, for now, to fully realize how Rutgers has shaped me. Hopefuly I’ll be able to fully appreciate the service this program has done me one day. But for now, I just feel so blessed and grateful to be here.”

When he graduates, Bellaimey hopes to “navigate the balance between theatre and film.

Theater props.

The BFA acting program began with 21 students, 16 remain.

Next year, Bellaimey will be abroad in London studying Shakespeare as a conservatory student at The Global Theater.

By Sam Kelly

Here are some pictures of students putting together their own little creations:

Pictures by: Nick Perrone