ARTS & HUMANITIES STUDENTS' COUNCIL
The AHSC Departmental Committees (DCs) are entities formally recognized and funded by the AHSC. Though working independently from the AHSC, they can work collaboratively with the AHSC and other DCs to share resources. DCs are another way in which the AHSC strives to enhance the student experience of all A&H students in each department. Learn more about them below and find out how you can create your own DC by reviewing our Constitution.
VASA
VASA is a collection of students dedicated to generating community within the Visual Arts faculty and integrating visual arts further into the culture at Western. We host serval different events throughout the year, such as art sales, bake sales, social nights, and screenings. Each year, VASA produces a publication called Aeterna in which allows artists to explore a wide range of topics in a collective theme that changes annually.
President: Bilquees "Billie" Hafeez
4th year/Honours spec. in Art History & Museum studies, and Major in Classical Studies
Hi! I’m Billie and I’m this year’s VASA president! Not only am I thrilled to be overseeing VASA this year but I am incredibly excited to work with such an amazing team! I am most looking forward to creating new connections and furthering our arts community especially through new events reimagined in a blended and/or virtual capacity to maintain connections within our department and beyond.
VP-Presidential: Rachel Edward
3rd year/BFA
Hi! It’s Rachel your VP, super excited about this year, and can’t wait to get started. I joined VASA to help create an environment that allows western artists to start their careers, and thrive in a welcoming community. A community that allows artists to be themselves and share their work.
VP Events: Amanda Currie
3rd year/Honours spec. philosophy, minor ethics
Hi! My name is Amanda Currie and I’m currently in my third year of an honours specialization in philosophy with a minor in ethics. I’m this year’s VP events and will be responsible for the coordination of your VASA-related events in the coming months. I initially joined VASA to expand my own knowledge of the arts as well as to aid in their further integration into the western community; since then, I’ve met a group of amazing people who I am extremely excited to work with to grow VASA and its presence in the broader western community.
VP Finance: Jessica He
3rd year - BMOS
Hi! I’m Jess and I’m entering my 3rd year majoring in accounting. I am this year’s VP Finance and am thrilled to be returning to this role. I’m excited to be apart of VASA again to support our student artists and to further develop Western’s visual arts community. Looking forward to working with an incredible team <33
VP Comms: Emily Donnelly
5th year, specialization in fine arts with a minor in economics
I joined VASA to get more involved within the art community at Western. I am so excited to be a part of an amazing team and meet new people!
Social Media manager: Le Bich Tran Nguyen
3rd year - Kinesiology
Hi, my name is Le! I’m this year’s social media manager and I’m going into my third year of Kinesiology! I’ve always loved drawing and art in general but found it hard to make time for it alongside school. I joined VASA this year in hopes to meet new talented and inspiring individuals to share and reignite my passion for art!
VP Events: Amanda Currie
3rd year/Honours spec. philosophy, minor ethics
Hi! My name is Amanda Currie and I’m currently in my third year of an honours specialization in philosophy with a minor in ethics. I’m this year’s VP events and will be responsible for the coordination of your VASA-related events in the coming months. I initially joined VASA to expand my own knowledge of the arts as well as to aid in their further integration into the western community; since then, I’ve met a group of amazing people who I am extremely excited to work with to grow VASA and its presence in the broader western community.
Graphic Designer: Michaela Purcell
2nd year, BFA program with honours specialization in studio art
I joined VASA for the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals who share a love for the arts. I can't wait to show off what our talented students at western have to offer!
Editor-in-chief: Ana Moyer
Art History PhD candidate
Hi folks, I am so excited to be joining VASA for a second year as Editor-in-Chief. I look forward to working with you all and seeing your amazing submissions for our publication Aeterna this coming year!
Copy editor: Sarah Fletcher
4th year - Art History/Museum Studies
Hi! I’m Sarah and I’ll be entering the fourth year of my Art History/Museum Studies degree at Western. I’m super excited to be the new copy editor for VASA’s publication! I’m really looking forward to engaging with the visual arts department on a deeper level and aiding in the publication of student works!
Layout editor: Freya Lu
2nd year/BFA
I am really excited to work with the team to help provide support and improve communication between the students in the Visual Arts Department!
Gallery coordinator: Sydney McArthur
3rd year, Art History and Museum Studies
I have a passion for connecting artists and artworks, and sharing that with people. I want to get more involved with the visual arts community and make this possible for more people in Visual Arts. I’m most excited to work with others who have similar passions as me, and hopefully make an impact on the Western/London Visual Arts community.
IConoclast
ICONOCLAST is an arts & culture collective created out of a desire to have interdisciplinary conversations about things that affect us all as students and people on campus. In particular, we hope to examine these experiences through an intersectional, inclusive, and expressive lens, elevating the personal experience. Although we are housed in the warm arms of the AHSC, we welcome students from every department to contribute: scientists who write poetry, musicians who paint, English majors who do performance art, engineers who take photos— we want to see all of your work. We release a bi-annual publication online and in print, and are expanding our events to include gallery showings and workshops. We want Western students of diverse backgrounds to contribute to a community that will bring out the creative underground of our campus.
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Whether you make creative content or not, our launch parties are always a good time and we have other activities brewing for the semester. Highlights include print copies of our publication, live music, cool venues, and good company!
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If you want to get involved, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or shoot us an email at iconoclastuwo@gmail.com. Browse our publications and web exclusives at iconoclastuwo.com. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love ♡,
Catherine, Celine, Carly, and Anthony
Directors of Iconoclast
co- directors
Catherine Cassels
Celine Tsang
Carly Pews
Anthony Tran
The Western Undergraduate Film Society (WUFS) is an organization that is a subsidiary of the Art & Humanities Student Council at Western University (UWO), directed specifically towards creating events and resources for Film Students and the Film Community around London.
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The Western Undergraduate Film Society provides free weekly screenings of curated films throughout the academic year to all Western students. WUFS also hosts a yearly film festival to celebrate and display local filmmakers from the Western and Fanshaw communities. The films chosen for the festival are then judged by a selected panel of judges in which the top three films selected are given a cash prize. The yearly film festival allows filmmakers to network and screen their films to an audience in addition to the possibility of a cash prize.
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WUFS also has a yearly publication titled “Kino,” in which a variety of film-related academic papers are chosen, edited, and published on our website. Our Kino publication offers students a chance to have their work published and read by the public.
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The Western Undergraduate Film Society is a club that embraces all things “films,” and we hope to use this passion to continue growing our local film community.
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-Hollie Scott & Dmitri Kowalski
wufs
Co - Directors
Dmitri Kowalski (he/him)
Hollie Scott (she/her)
THE COTERIE
The Coterie is Western’s Undergraduate English Society, a society of English and Writing students who are dedicated to building a community of passionate students within the faculty. We help students find opportunities to share their work, connect with their peers, attend fun events, as well as help create awareness about the opportunities available to students in university and beyond. We will be hosting a poetry slam, as well as several various English and Writing social events; in the past, this has included book-to-movie film screenings, writing workshops, and academic and career information sessions. Coterie events are open to students from all faculties and every event is free to attend! If you’re in an English module looking to get more involved within the community, consider joining our executive team in order to help shape what goes on in our department!
Abby Robitaillie / president
Email: arobita7@uwo.ca
Latest issue of our SNAPS Poetry Publication: https://issuu.com/thecoteriewestern/docs/snaps_2021
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Blog: https://thecoteriewestern.wixsite.com/website-11
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westerncoterie/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheCoterie_UWO?s=20
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coteriewestern/
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The Western Undergraduate Film Society (WUFS) is an organization that is a subsidiary of the Art & Humanities Student Council at Western University (UWO), directed specifically towards creating events and resources for Film Students and the Film Community around London.
​
The Western Undergraduate Film Society provides free weekly screenings of curated films throughout the academic year to all Western students. WUFS also hosts a yearly film festival to celebrate and display local filmmakers from the Western and Fanshaw communities. The films chosen for the festival are then judged by a selected panel of judges in which the top three films selected are given a cash prize. The yearly film festival allows filmmakers to network and screen their films to an audience in addition to the possibility of a cash prize.
​
WUFS also has a yearly publication titled “Kino,” in which a variety of film-related academic papers are chosen, edited, and published on our website. Our Kino publication offers students a chance to have their work published and read by the public.
​
The Western Undergraduate Film Society is a club that embraces all things “films,” and we hope to use this passion to continue growing our local film community.
​
-Hollie Scott & Dmitri Kowalski
wufs
Co - Directors
Hollie Scott (she/her)
Dmitri Kowalski (he/him)
Photos from the 2019 Film Festival !
CONNECT WITH US
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WesternUndergraduateFilmSociety
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Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wufsofficial/
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Kino:
https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/kino/index
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Contact:
Spanish club
Want to learn about Hispanic & Latin cultures? Learn or improve your Spanish-speaking? ¿Eres español(a) o latino(a)@? ¡Ven diviértete con nosotros! This club offers various opportunities, from learning and improving the Spanish language, to familiarizing students with Latin American and Spanish cultures, and along the way you’ll meet new friends!
The first goal of the Spanish Club is to allow students to learn and/or improve Spanish language speaking abilities and knowledge in an informal environment. For example, hosting coffee chats where students meet up at a Latin American or Spanish coffee shop or restaurant to practice oral skills in open conversation. The second goal is to familiarize students with Latin American and Spanish cultures through cultural events in extracurricular activities that share a safe and positive environment. For example, hosting cooking classes featuring Latin American and Hispanic cuisines. The last goal is to build meaningful connections with other students (not limited to) the Spanish Department. Western is full of diversity but sometimes it is difficult to find. This club exposes and attracts a diverse group of cultures and languages to allow individuals to meet new people.
Not only is the club intellectually stimulating, but also socially enjoyable!
MEET THE TEAM!
Click each photo to learn more about each held position!
Instagram Page: "uwospanishclub"
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Facebook Page: "Western Spanish Club"
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Gmail Account: uwospanishclub@gmail.com
GSSC
The Gender Studies Student Collective (GSSC) is a group of dedicated thinkers who are committed to represent the interests of students in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies (GSWS) department. The Collective provides avenues for GSWS students to develop academically for example through the undergraduate student publication, Tulips Journal, assignment workshops, and study days. AlsoAs well, the GSSC creates a space for gathering and sharing through social events, such as our annual Feminist Mixer. One of the best qualities of the GSWS department is the sense of community. The GSSC works to foster safe, welcoming spaces, and advocate on behalf of GSWS students across the Western and affiliate campuses!
Alex Rachiele (she/her)
~Co-Presidents~
Nic Di Giuseppe (she/they)
GSSC ZOOM CALL!
CONNECT WITH US
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GSSCWestern/
Instagram: @gsscwestern
Department Page: https://www.uwo.ca/womens/undergraduate/student_collective.html
Contact: gsscwestern@gmail.com
Classics
We are The Classics Society, a departmental committee dedicated to bringing together anyone and everyone with an interest in ancient history. We welcome all members, from Classics students to those passionate about Ancient Greece, Rome, and the Eastern Mediterranean, to those who simply loved the Percy Jackson series as a kid (and still do!). We strive to make Classics enjoyable outside of a classroom setting by organizing fun events that demonstrate the relevance of Classical Studies to a variety of disciplines and everyday life.
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Throughout the year, we hold several in-person and virtual events. These events create an environment that encourages like-minded people to make new friends with those who share a passion for antiquity. We host free social events, such as Classics-themed movie nights, toga parties, Classics Jeopardy, the Western Olympics, academic speaker nights, ancient cooking classes, pottery nights, study sessions, and a trip to the ROM. Each of these events enhances the sense of community within the department and enriches the experience of undergraduate and graduate students across main and affiliate campuses. We also offer an opportunity for students to be published in our departmental publication, Acta Diurna, which showcases academic papers, creative writing, and art.
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We hope to see you at our upcoming events this year! You can check us out and ask questions at:
Email: westernclassicssociety@gmail.com
Instagram: @westernclassicssociety
Co-Consults
Lily Azzopardi left
Cashel Findler right
Photos from Classics events!
School of thought
Hey philosophy students! We are the School of Thought, a social and academic collective dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where you make lasting friendships with those who share your passion for philosophy. Our club brings together people with similar interests and encourages philosophical discourse through tons of fun social and academic events throughout the year, all of which are free and open to all students.
Some of our in-person and virtual events include our annual philosophy conference with undergraduates, graduates, faculty and visiting students, our Pints and Plato night where we lounge at the Spoke and discuss philosophical topics, visiting speakers with seminars, movie nights, study and coffee dates, discussion night on current events, trivia night, and more!
Join us as a general member this 21/22 year, and remember, no matter what theory of philosophy you choose to study, we’ll always be your School Of Thought!