The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has designated asteroid 1995 TD in honor of longtime Sky & Telescope editor and MassArt alumnus Sean Walker, BFA ’96 (Painting),  naming it 13623 Seanwalker.

“In addition to noting Sean’s work at the magazine, the IAU also noted that Sean is an “accomplished American artist” – having seen his painting firsthand, I can definitely vouch for that. And for those of you familiar with the work he has done at Sky & Telescope over the past couple of decades, you’ll know he’s an incredibly accomplished astrophotographer.

“Sean was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston. But astronomy has always been a part of his life — his mother had a telescope and showed views of the planets to a young Sean and his three brothers.

“While Sean was in college, one of the ways he supplemented his income was by taking slides of fellow artists’ work for their portfolios. In so doing, he learned the ins-and-outs of photography. Another side gig was working in the Audio/Visual department at Harvard University’s Science Center, where among his duties Sean would shoot 35-mm slides of the pages of Sky & Telescope for the lectures by historian of astronomy Owen Gingerich. After completing the work for Gingerich, Sean would then devour the pages of the magazine. Both side gigs set the stage for his future career.”

Read the full story.

MassArt student, Gabriela Moreno, BFA ’25, was recently selected by GBH’s Community Canvas for her mural reflecting everyday life in El Salvador.

“El Salvador is a beautiful country that my family is from,” Moreno says. “As a first generation Salvadoran American, I want to represent my culture but also bring the Latin American community together.”

See more of Moreno’s work on Instagram @gabrielamomo_

MassArt alum Eric Standley (BFA) pushes artistic boundaries with intricate, laser-cut paper sculptures that explore paradox and perception. Discover his unconventional journey, from self-proclaimed “failed painter” to visionary artist.

MassArt Painting Student Colomba Klenner (BFA ’25) was featured on GBH’s Community Canvas digital mural on March 5, 2025.

Klenner’s mural is a visual exploration of the interconnectedness in life, highlighting both the ecological significance of bees and the essential nature of human empathy.

“The anatomical heart, filled with blooming flowers and buzzing bees, represents the potential for growth and transformation when we allow ourselves to be open to connection,” Klenner says. “Just as bees pollinate flowers, we must cultivate empathy within our hearts, fostering an environment where kindness and understanding can thrive.”

She was born in Santiago, Chile and spent a large amount of time in Singapore before settling in Boston to pursue her career.

See more of her work on Instagram @mysticlovestudio and colombaklennerartist.myportfolio.com.

Read the full GBH article.

“In the joyous and ebullient department are the colorful paintings of Kayla Mohammadi (some of her recent, and best, work) and Charlie Hewitt’s light sculptures (an appropriate greeting for visitors in the gallery’s glass-walled conference room). ”

Read the full review.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in December, hundreds of community members gathered for the second annual MassArt Common Good Awards. The room buzzed with energy and hope as attendees gathered to honor individuals whose creativity and dedication are transforming lives and communities. 

“When we center art and culture in our work, we can break down barriers,” shared MassArt President Mary Grant in her opening remarks. “Art and design are central to civic life and allow us to work toward a common goal.”

The ceremony featured powerful stories from each honoree, sharing how art has shaped their lives, their work, and their unwavering commitment to serving the greater good.

Frances Euphemia Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching recipient, May Chau (‘07 BFA Art Education), credited her mentors with sparking her love for ceramics, inspiring her to use art as a common language in her teaching practice. 

Toni Elka (BFA Painting ’86), Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and Founder of Future Chefs, reflected on how her time at MassArt gave  her the tools to help others pursue their own dreams. 

Common Good Award recipient  Thaddeus Miles, photographer and founder of the Black Joy Initiative, reflected on being told as a child that “painting wasn’t manly,” a moment that shaped his eventual journey into photography. He issued a powerful challenge to the audience: to get involved in their communities and use the arts as a tool to foster compassion, celebrate resilience, and build stronger connections. 

With a full Western Massachusetts entourage, awardee Shirley Ann Session Edgerton, community activist, educator,  and founder of the Rites of Passage and Empowerment (R.O.P.E.) program, reminded us of the importance of community empowerment, particularly for young women of color.

You could hear a pin drop as honoree Yinette Guzman (BFA Architecture ’08), Senior Project Manager of Design and Placemaking at the North Shore Community Development Coalition, shared a deeply personal moment, speaking in Spanish about the unwavering support of her family and the transformative experience of being a first-generation college student at MassArt. Guzman highlighted the importance of community in her work and invited her mother to share in the moment, underscoring the collective nature of her achievements.

To cap off an unforgettable afternoon, honoree Frederick Wiseman, spoke of challenging systems through his decades of work as an acclaimed documentary filmmaker. He recounted the difficulty of telling complex stories and emphasized the importance of standing by one’s creative vision.

Each honoree received a custom-made, inscribed artwork by Sam Kim, a Lowell-based ceramics artist and MassArt graduate (BFA Industrial Design and Ceramics ’18), his work embodying the creativity and impact of the honorees themselves.

At MassArt, the Common Good Awards celebrate the profound ways art and design influence civic life, advocacy, and education. This year’s ceremony exemplified the college’s mission to lift up individuals who use creativity to foster positive social change and strengthen their communities. To explore more about the Common Good Awards, as well as this year’s honorees, visit https://massart.edu/massart-common-good-awards/.