Art and design invite us to imagine new worlds and see the one around us a little differently. Whether through a cartoon, a film, a painting, or a print, artists bring ideas to life in ways that spark emotion, invite conversation, and open up new perspectives.
We often talk about preparing our students to shape the world for the common good. That work begins right here, in a community where we take the time to notice, encourage, and appreciate one another. At our board meeting this month, Studio Foundation Professor Marc Holland shared a story that was a wonderful illustration of this. His Studio Foundation students make giant takeout boxes out of cardboard — and they truly come out quite stunning! David Stewart, a Maintainer who works in the South building, was so impressed with what the students had made during this exercise, that he brought one to my office to share. His enthusiasm was a reminder that the work happening in our studios reaches beyond the classroom, and that recognizing one another’s efforts is part of what makes our community special. Thank you to David for taking the time to share this work with me and for his enthusiasm for our students, and to Marc for his engaging presentation and inspiring teaching. Please stop by the office if you would like to see the final piece for yourself!
At MassArt, we prepare our students not only to imagine new possibilities, but to bring them to life and use their creativity to contribute to the world around them. I’m grateful for the ideas, hard work, flexibility, and compassion that our students, faculty, and staff bring to this community each day. These qualities shape how we learn from one another and how we engage with the world beyond our campus. I think now more than ever, the world could use a little more of that MassArt spirit. As Election Day approaches, I encourage everyone to put that spirit into action by participating in our democracy and making a plan to vote. If you’re looking for voting information or resources, be sure to check out ALL IN to Vote.
With gratitude,
Mary K. Grant, PhD
President
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Cartoon by Liza Donnelly
October Highlights
Women Laughing: Screening and Conversation
What can cartoons tell us about the changing role of women in American culture? We explored that question at a screening of Women Laughing, a documentary by cartoonist and filmmaker Liza Donnelly and Kathleen Hughes about the history and contributions of women cartoonists at The New Yorker. I was honored to moderate a discussion with Donnelly, New Yorker cartoonist Amy Hwang, and Lisa Kennedy, chair of MassArt’s Illustration Department. Our conversation highlighted how artists have used humor and visual storytelling to challenge expectations, reflect lived experiences, and engage with the defining social and political issues of their time. The above cartoon by Liza is a favorite one of mine. Thank you again to our panelists and everyone who joined us!
Image details (L-R): Lisa Kennedy, Amy Hwang, Liza Donnelly, and President Grant. Photo by Hao Yang MFA ’28
This month, we welcomed the Venerable Tenzin Yignyen for his 19th annual sand mandala at MassArt. The mandala creation is a Tibetan Buddhist practice that brings together patience, intention, and reflection. Over four days, Tenzin created the intricate mandala using millions of grains of colored sand and engaged our community in conversations about love, kindness, compassion, and peace. Its eventual dismantling offered a powerful lesson in impermanence and the importance of compassion in our daily lives. Thank you to Tenzin for sharing this practice with our community, and to our colleagues in JET for sustaining this meaningful tradition.
Photo by Emma Odell BFA ’21
Creating Ceramics for the Haley House Souper Bowl
Our ceramics studio brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners from Haley House, a local food and housing justice organization, to make hundreds of bowls for the organization’s February 2027 Souper Bowl fundraiser. Through the shared work of making, the gathering strengthened connections across our community while supporting Haley House’s mission. Special thanks to Clay for Change student leaders Aries Green ‘27, Stella Heinegg ‘28, Julia Buczynski ‘28 and Icarus Chiarito ‘28, Professor Josephine Burr, and Elena Belle White of the Center for Art and Community Partnerships for their leadership in bringing everyone together.
Photo by Hao Yang MFA ’28
Opening Our Doors Celebrates 25 Years
MassArt joined the Fenway Alliance and our neighbors for the 25th annual Opening Our Doors, a celebration of the arts and the connections that make our neighborhood thrive. On the plaza, 300+ participants created their own custom-cast aluminum artwork with guidance from 3D Arts Professor Marjee Levine, Sculpture Studio Manager Holly Kelly and over 20 students from the MassArt Iron Corp. The enthusiastic response kept our team restocking supplies throughout the day – using over 200lbs of aluminum! MAAM also welcomed visitors to explore its latest exhibitions and enjoy artmaking activities in the Barkan Family Big Ideas Studio. Thank you to Marjee-Anne, Holly, Iron Corp students, Brian Hone, and the MAAM team for helping strengthen our relationships with our Fenway neighbors and engage new audiences.
Photo by Dennis Theoharidis BFA ‘28
MassArt Alum Kris Moran Returns to Campus
We welcomed acclaimed artist, designer, and set decorator Kris Moran BFA ’89 Painting back to campus this month for a multi-day residency that connected students with her wide-ranging creative practice and career in film. Known for her work on films including The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom, Kris shared insights through a master class, conversations about her painting practice, a presentation and film screening of Asteroid City, and a guest critique with SIM students. Her visit offered a valuable look at how the skills developed at MassArt can lead to creative careers across disciplines. Thank you to MassArt faculty members Tammy Dudman, Kayla Mohammadi, Gretchen Skogerson, James Stanley, and Nita Sturiale, and to Darlene Gillan and Olga Batyuk in Alumni Relations, Rachael Dubinsky in IA, and the MarComm team for making this fantastic residency possible.
Photo by Nita Sturiale
8th MassArt Biennial Alumni Exhibition: Faces of Us
MassArt’s 8th Biennial Alumni Exhibition, Faces of Us, brought together our alumni community to celebrate work exploring identity, personal growth, cultural influences, and the connections that shape us. In honor of the 25th anniversary of MassArt’s Compass Program, seventy percent of the alumni artists featured in the show also generously made their artworks available for purchase, with proceeds going to support the program’s work with first-generation college students. Thank you to our Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations teams; guest curator Darci Hanna ’25 MFA 2D; guest jurors Chenoa Baker, Archy LaSalle ‘82 BFA Photography, Tess Lukey ’16 BFA Ceramics and Art History; the installation crew from Clark Fine Arts Services for bringing it all together with such care, and to our alumni artists who contributed work to make this exhibition a reality.
Photo by Mike Dunne
SIM Alumni & Founders Day
SIM Alumni & Founders Day brought together students, faculty, and alumni for an evening of creative exchange and community, and a special tribute to Professor Dana Moser in recognition of his retirement from teaching at MassArt. The gathering celebrated Dana’s lasting contributions to the SIM program and the generations of students and colleagues he has influenced, and marked the announcement of the Dana Moser Endowed Award, supported by nearly $60,000 raised by Dana’s family, friends, and SIM alumni. The award will support an exceptional SIM student whose work engages with analog or digital technology, uses the internet in creative ways, or addresses injustice and builds community through shared experience, generosity, empathy, and humor. The celebration also featured music by the “Dana Moser Trio,” an adaptation of Camille in Dana’s honor directed by Cody Sullivan BFA ‘14. Thank you to Professor Nita Sturiale for organizing this thoughtful celebration of Dana’s career.
Photo by Dennis Theoharidis BFA ‘28
MassArt’s MDes Program Celebrates 10 Years
MassArt’s Master of Design Innovation program marked its 10th anniversary with a gathering of alumni, faculty, and current students to reflect on the program’s impact and look toward the future of design. The day included networking, alumni perspectives, and a hands-on service design workshop, highlighting the ideas and connections that continue to shape the field. The anniversary also offered an opportunity to celebrate the community built through the program and the work its graduates are carrying forward. My thanks to Mariah Doren, Jamie Reed, and Ben Little for helping to envision and plan the day.
Photo by Mike Ritter
Pizza with the President
Each semester, I look forward to joining the Student Government Association for Pizza with the President, and this recent conversation was no exception. Thank you to SGA for opening up its Full Council meeting, and to the students who brought thoughtful questions and shared their perspectives.
DHE Interim Commissioner Visits Campus
On October 26th, we had the pleasure of hosting Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Interim Commissioner Jose Luis Santos on campus. Interim Commissioner Santos has visited campus since joining the DHE, but this was a great opportunity to delve deeper into ways we can work together to advance student success and support MassArt for years to come. We briefed him on the Campus Master Planning process and the ways we are using state SUCCESS funds to support our students. We also had a great conversation over lunch with some of our student leaders and had a chance to see the new exhibits at MAAM with Lisa Tung.
Photo by Robert Chambers
A Festive Noodle & Doodle at MAAM
An annual favorite, Noodle & Doodle returned to the MassArt Art Museum with tunes from Daughter of the Vine during this special edition of Twilight, co-produced with MassArt Professor of Illustration Robert Maloney. It was fun to get into the Halloween spirit, see some fantastic sketching in the galleries, and the creative connections being made at MAAM.
Photo by Vy Bui BFA ’28
President’s Luncheon
We welcomed current and former members of the MassArt Board of Trustees and MassArt Foundation Board, as well as President Emerita Kay Sloan, for a luncheon this afternoon. The gathering offered an opportunity to reconnect, strengthen relationships across generations of College leadership (back to MassArt’s very first board!), and share updates on the work and priorities shaping MassArt’s future. We are grateful for their continued partnership, commitment, and support of the College’s mission.
Photo by Hannah Johnson
Just Published!
Creativity, Community, and Purpose shares progress and highlights from across campus. Together, we are shaping a future where art and design fuel opportunity, impact our economy, enrich communities, drive progress, and serve the public good.
On GBH’s The Culture Show, President Grant joined Jared Bowen to discuss Women Laughing and political cartoons, as well as the joys of analog arts and film photography.
New Yorker cartoonist Amy Hwang joined the show a few days later to share more about her work and the documentary screening at MassArt.
WBUR selected two members of the MassArt community in their 2026 Makers list: staff member Christian Hernán De Restrepo, BFA ’15 Fashion Design, and Zainab Sumu, ’15 Fashion Design Certificate.
Heading to Boston National Portfolio Day on November 1? Learn what to expect from a portfolio review—and how to choose work, talk about your creative process, and make the most of your feedback.
Join MassArt for a free screening of Women Laughing on October 26, followed by a conversation with Liza Donnelly, Amy Hwang, Lisa Kennedy, and President Mary K. Grant.
MassArt senior Cass Kansky is named among Campus Compact's 2026 Newman Civic Fellows, recognizing their work supporting community health, equity, and access.
The 2026 MassArt Night Market invites the public to discover original artwork, meet local makers, and experience the energy of Boston's creative community.
President Grant highlights a busy June at MassArt, from welcoming incoming students and launching summer programming to campus planning, advocacy at the State House, and looking ahead to the creative opportunities still to come this summer.
This fall, MAAM presents solo exhibitions by internationally recognized artists Banu Cennetoğlu and Robert Lazzarini, exploring the ideals, symbols, and institutions that shape contemporary life.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted MassArt’s leadership in higher education innovation and co-op learning models, underscoring the college’s role in advancing experiential, career-connected education in Massachusetts.
