Newhouse Graduation with Goldring Arts Journalism

Syracuse University Newhouse Masters student Geena Matuson (@geenamatuson) on graduation day, May 2019.

I just graduated from the Goldring Arts Journalism program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University! Yes, the work warrants all of the long names and titles, haha.

I can’t believe it’s already been a year, and that I’m that much closer to receiving my Masters of Arts. (While all of the one-year Newhouse graduate programs walk in graduation, most of us still have to complete a capstone project over the summer.)

While I’m writing articles on a freelance basis, the program pushed me to develop my voice in other ways beyond that of a journalism career path. I always said, if I went back to school I would go for writing — it’s my passion. I know that in all of my work, writing is at the core; I love to organize the flow of communications.

The interviewing, research and editing skills I’ve learned and honed in my Arts Journalism courses have been put to use in my other work. I’m creating podcasts, videos, and writing long-form articles and essays about entrepreneurship, relationships and media. Early in the year it hit me — all of the seemingly disparate things I’ve done in life have culminated in this experience at SU, the top communications school in the country.

Military Visual Journalism program students at their Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications ceremony, May 2019.

My mom came up for the ceremony, held on the one day we had sun all week! I also took photos with my military friends — former graphic design students from the fall semester.

It was also such an honor and pleasure to be invited to the Military Visual Journalism Program Commencement Dinner and Certificate Ceremony. The one-year certificate program is offered through a partnership with SU and the military; those in the military communications sector (which, I heard, is composed of maybe 3,000 people total), have the opportunity to create a portfolio of their work, apply to this program, and receive a Newhouse education. It was so special to not only help teach and mentor them in my labs, but to also become friends with so many who, in turn, taught me so much.

As he shook my hand at graduation, one of the professors said jokingly, “Who will be the model now? We won’t have anyone to photograph! We will have no one to work with!” (Haha, maybe I’ll be around for more photos, who knows!)

I’m looking forward to completing my capstone, and to whatever is next on my journey.

- Geena

Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle

Just after a Dean’s Dinner with Dean of Libraries David Seaman, I was just inducted into the Syracuse University Blackstone LaunchPad Founders Circle.

The Founders Circle “includes graduating seniors and recent alumni who significantly contributed to building the Blackstone LaunchPad since it opened in April 2016. Founders Circle members serve as alumni role models for future student entrepreneurs who exemplify a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.” I am so humbled to be part of a group with so many amazing people, and so honored to be considered a role model passionate about innovation.

It was energizing to be in a room of so many amazing student entrepreneurs. Returning alumni entrepreneurs, the first “Founders Circle” members, bestowed tassels for graduation and were finally gifted tassels of their own.

Upon my arrival at SU’s Newhouse School last summer, my program was introduced to the Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars, a student entrepreneur incubator space. We received a presentation by Director Linda Dickerson-Hartsock, and knew I’d be working with her in the LaunchPad throughout my time at SU.

My time at the LaunchPad has been fundamental to my growth this year, and a large part of that is based on the community of the space. The space helps entrepreneurs get to know each other on a deeper level, because we’re all on the same page — working ourselves over-time, open and straightforward with our needs and what we have to offer, asking questions, exploring ways to improve ourselves and our ventures — vulnerable. I’ve heard the idea that “all entrepreneurs are each other’s competition,” but it doesn’t quite make sense. Sure, entrepreneurs all have a common goal to succeed, but we all work in different sectors, have different skills, and make varied connections. It’s like saying “if everyone has a college degree, they’re worthless.” Of course they aren’t worthless — people study and gain expertise in a variety of areas, making each degree-holder a unique and valuable resource. Well, that’s the same thing for entrepreneurs, and many help each other and jump into projects.

Ultimately, we should all be pulling each other up, helping other entrepreneurs succeed; we should share our experience with others so they may grow. This is exactly what I’ve experienced at the LaunchPad, and I’m so happy to give this back to others, too.

- Geena

Mouri Pour Viv

I met the producers of Mouri Pour Viv at a 315Alive public art meeting, and was so excited to go to the group's Open Mic Day Party the next weekend! My friends and I went to Inner Harbor and performed! I read some of my poetry and my friend Lyle Michael followed with his poetry. My friend and fabulous photographer Sajida Ayyup, and new friend Charles, performed together on ukulele and sang with just the most amazing voice.

I first read an extended metaphor I call "Indigo and the North," because if you know me, you know I'm all about extended metaphors. I then read poem "Constricting" from my book Dadalectic - and shockingly no one asked how I was almost boa constricted to death at the science museum. Finally, I performed a poem I had memorized, as it was short and simple and about sex.

This was only my third time ever reading for an audience, but I think I did okay! I met some local poets who said they thought I sounded like "a real poet," which meant a lot to me. 

I'm definitely going to read and perform more in the future, bringing my oddly early-to-mid-twentieth-century voice to the stage among people who "do spoken word," haha.

- Geena

The End of Newhouse Boot Camp

My summer semester at Newhouse ended, and I finally found some time to share the photos we captured throughout the six-week summer intensive affectionately known as "Boot Camp." When I told people, "I have class every day, 9-5 - plus homework," they smile and nod, as though that's a totally normal "fun" thing to do and why am I saying it like I can't breathe. So how about you let that sink in for a moment - you're in class all day, plus homework for that class. As I'm in school for journalism and a large part of the work is interviewing and covering stories or events, pray tell when we do this live action work? Right - after five o'clock most nights. Let's not forget the weekends - or those fun days when it's 2 p.m. and they tell us we have a 10-person interview and transcription interview due by midnight. 

So just ruminate on that a while.

The Goldring Arts Journalism Masters in the 2018-2019 Newhouse program visit La Casita in Syracuse, 2018. From left to right: Lyle Michael (@lyleandmichael), Christina Nagle (@chri_nagel), Mary Walrath (@Mary_Walrath), Madalyn Owen (@madalyn__o), Geena Matuson (@geenamatuson), Tere Paniagua, Ricardo Loubriel (@LoubrielRicardo), Mike Zawisza (@Mike_Zawisza), Kate Cummings (@CummingsKaitlyn), and Professor Leah Stacy (@leahstacy). We missed you Alexa Piwowarski (@alexapiwow)

Some fun memories include telling an alumna I'm an "older student" and she responded by saying she was older when she was in the program, too - 23. Another memory was a "person on the street" interview response I was given, when I asked a 27-year-old girl about her thoughts on the 24th Congressional District election and those running:

"I know but you know what, the people that are seated in Washington voting on issues that affect the whole country? None of us give a fuck. Like it doesn't personally affect my Salisbury-steak-fucking-preheated-microwave-dinner, so I don’t give a shit....like as long as they’re not taking 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' off TV, I'm not gonna pay attention. And nobody else in America gives a fuck either. Okay a couple towers came down. Well…can I still go to the mall? That’s all I care about. And that’s what America cares about. Peace out."

But unlike the other Newhouse Masters programs, the Goldring Arts Journalism program did a bunch of activities together, out and about on the town, meeting people and going places. Yes, we have the best program - thank you Lola! 

Orientation began with a zoo outing at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. There I am, showing you a tiger who gave no shits. A few days later we were in class and had to do a little "photo test" to show we understood how to take photos with a smart phone, as the journalism programs are very media-heavy nowadays. There's Mary and Madaylyn, and then there's me, casually strolling beside Kate. Ha!

We also took a walking tour of Downtown Syracuse led by Sean Kirst, who knows pretty much everything about the place. I took a few photos - like that statue of a soldier to commemorate Syracuse soldiers who served in WWI. Just the next day, the city held a 100th anniversary ceremonial event. We also made it to the Hotel Syracuse - but wait, we weren't outside. Are those...clouds on the ceiling? Yes, indeed they are, my friend, and the mirrored walls made it all the more magical. As you can see, Mike was really taking it all in...

Opening day of the Palestinian menu in restaurant With Love came next, a restaurant that changes its menu every six months and works with refugees and people from other countries to train them to work in the restaurant industry, also bringing authentic recipes to the kitchen. I got a bunch of stuff like beet humus with lamb, something like a baba ganoush, and there was definitely a lot of garlic. I finally had a chance to have some malabi in the states, too! The walls were a cool blue over tin patterns and textures that I had to photograph. This was our "food writing" class, and I'm not complaining, haha.

Then came our day in Cooperstown for Glimmerglass Opera! There we all are, smiling as it grew overcast and the sun set. We met Lola Goldring, the woman who launched our program, and went to see West Side Story. Admittedly, I'd never seen any iteration of this play, so I was satisfied to a point - could have been better. Casting was interesting.

Next, we ventured over to the Everson Museum, which has the largest video art collection in the country but I have no idea where it is and have no more information than that. Am I intrigued? Yes. Did I spend my undergraduate career at an art school studying video art and the prime video artists that launched the Everson's collection? Yes. Will I learn more? Yes.

However on that particular day trip, we spent time learning about Darryl Hughto's art in his exhibition "From Diamonds to Sailboats" straight from the artist, himself. That was interesting.

Then, over to La Casita, "a program of the College of Arts and Sciences established to advance an educational and cultural agenda of civic engagement through  research, cultural heritage preservation, media, and the arts, bridging the Hispanic communities of Syracuse University and Central New York." Amazing art, more installations going into the space, and a fabulous photo opp because that's what we do best.

As our boot camp came to its end, our class took a day trip to Rochester! We first stopped at the George Eastman Museum to see the David Levinthal exhibition. I took photos of my favorite series, which you won't see them post on Facebook, haha. We briefly explored "the mansion" where Madalyn took some lovely photos of me in my cool outfit because it needed to be done. I wish Express still made bell bottoms because I need more bell, you feel me? Also funny, my dad bought me that shirt in France when I was 8, haha.

We jetted off to The Little Theatre for a private screening of  Sorry to Bother You (2018), which was kind of insane and also makes a great joke (or perhaps references a real statistic) about men in pink shirts. Sure, some of the ADR could've been better but I'm not complaining - the movie was crazy and it worked.

The Goldring Arts Journalism Masters in the 2018-2019 Newhouse program visit La Casita in Syracuse, 2018. From left to right: Ricardo Loubriel (@LoubrielRicardo), Geena Matuson (@geenamatuson), J.R. Pierce (Alumnus and class TA), Alexa Piwowarski (@alexapiwow), Mike Zawisza (@Mike_Zawisza), Mary Walrath (@Mary_Walrath), Kate Cummings (@CummingsKaitlyn), Christina Nagle (@chri_nagel), the amazing Professor Eric Grode (@EricGrode), Lyle Michael (@lyleandmichael), Madalyn Owen (@madalyn__o), and Professor Leah Stacy (@leahstacy). 

After that, we went to Rochester's "Radio Social," where you bowl and eat and drink, should it strike your fancy. If you look above at that bowling scoreboard, check out my name...yes, I got four strikes in a row - crazy! I was pretty surprised and it was a great way to end the day in Rochester, haha.

I took a photo of every single person bowling, and it was awesome, haha. We listened to 90s music on the way home to Syracuse, and I was officially done with the summer semester!

Now on to the next...

- Geena

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Maintenant 12: Contemporary Dada - Now Available!

"The new issue, MAINTENANT 12: A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY DADA WRITING AND ART (978-1941110652, 200 pages, Three Rooms Press, June 5, 2018), features work that explores theme “We Are All A ‘Like.'” With the rise in social media use—and abuse—the concept of “like” has reached whole new levels. There’s the idea of an individual’s reaction to events, people, images, etc. as a reduction to “Like” or “Dislike” without need for deeper consideration. Then there is the status factor: that something which is “Liked” by the largest number of people is of value. The concept, while simple, has innumerable ways of looking at it.

MAINTENANT 12 features provocative cover art by MacArthur Fellow artist Nicole Eisenman. Inside, the work of nearly 200 artists and writers from six continents storms the pages, including Geena Matuson 'The Girl Mirage.'"

Book launch events in the US will take place in NYC on June 1 at Cornelia Street Cafe, and on June 6 at  Le Poisson Rouge, and in LA on June 9 "La Di Dada 6" at Beyond Baroque.

I may or may not be attending the NYC event June 1 (my plans are still TBD). However, it looks to be an awesome and dada-centric good time ;) I can't wait to get a copy of the book in my hands and see my art in print!

- Geena

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