Visual & Performing Arts

Read on to learn more about what the 2025-2026 school year had in store for our talented students, faculty, staff, and alumni at Loyola University Maryland!

Directed by Directing II (DR 351) students, presented by the Evergreen Players

This year's student exhibition featured impressive student art from Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 photography and studio arts courses. Awards were presented to three photography and three studio arts students for particularly outstanding work. The awards were juried by this year’s Artist-in-Residence, Jaz Erenberg!

Photography

1st place: Katherine Albert, ’26

2nd place: Luisanni Delgado, ’27

3rd place: Max Engel, ’26

Studio Arts

1st place: Dazey Barrett, ’27

2nd place: Maggie McDermott, ’26

3rd place: Diana Martinez, ’27

Art by Maggie McDermott, ’26; Morgan Mullen, ’29; Sofia Orapallo, ’29; Johnathan Kane, ’27; Luisanni Delgado, ’27; Diana Martinez, ’27; Max Engel, ’26; Nicholas Wiseman, ’27; Diana Martinez, ’27; Dazey Barrett, ’27; Morgan Krako, ’29; and Katherine Albert, ’26

• Concert Choir (MU 212/312)
• Cantorei (MU 327)
• Chamber Ensemble (MU 220/320)
• Guitar Ensemble (MU 230/330)
• Jazz Ensemble (MU 211/311)
• Jazz Combo (MU 323)
• Steel Pan Ensemble (MU 231/331)

These ensembles are comprised of an enthusiastic and passionate community of students, alumni, faculty, and staff who appreciate the art of music. Ensembles are open to all Loyola students. Some ensembles require an audition. All ensembles can be taken for credit.

Photo by Jaylynn Lawlah, ’24

Applied Music Lessons (MU 360/361) are offered in piano, voice, woodwinds, brass, strings, guitar, percussion, and more! Lessons are included in tuition for performing arts majors with a music or comprehensive concentration, music minors, first year students, and first-semester sophomores. Lessons can be taken for academic credit. There are no auditions, and students at any level are welcome.

Photo by Emma Sabino, ’25

Contact Dr. Clay Price (cprice1@loyola.edu) for more information about Music Program ensembles and lessons.

• Katherine Albert, ’26 (studio arts major & photography minor) was the 2026 Visual Arts Medal winner.
• Lily Barlow, ’26 (photography minor) was mentored by Professor Heather Braxton as a studio assistant.
• Steven Bartoszewicz, ’14 (music major) was the Stage Manager for Iron Crow Theatre's production of Next to Normal at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore, MD.
• Annalise Bull, ’26 (art history major) was mentored by Dr. Barnaby Nygren in an independent study, during which she examined Western fashion from the rise of the department store and the fashion house in mid-nineteenth century Paris to the present day.
• Maddie Chelak, ’23 (studio arts major) painted backdrops for the Met Gala as part of her job as a scenic artist with Kadan Productions.
• Halle Delmore, ’26 (interArts major) was accepted into the graduate program in Interior Design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
• Ange Dickson, ’25 (performing arts comprehensive major) was accepted into the Dramaturgy Master of Fine Arts program at Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN.
• Cass Garcia, ’26 (photography major) had her piece, untitled, featured in Emerging Perspectives, a juried exhibition at the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, MD.
• Belle Hartmann, ’26 (theatre major) was accepted into the Disney College Program in Orlando, FL. Belle was also the 2026 Performing Arts Medal winner.
• Jahnae Haskins, ’25 (studio arts major) had her piece, Awaken, featured in Issue 60 of Artistonish, a contemporary art magazine.
• Steph Hils, ’25 (photography major) had four of their pieces accepted into the Halle Cultural Art Center’s Pride Art Exhibition in Apex, NC.
• Franklin Kish, ’26 (art history major) was accepted into the Curating Art and Fashion Master of Arts program at Istituto Marangoni in Florence, Italy.
• Tony Leneau, ’26 (studio arts major) completed an internship at Art with a Heart, a private, non-profit organization that helps people in need enhance their lives through visual arts.
• Isabelle Leon, ’26 (photography major) had her digital photography series, Finding the Spirits, featured in Art and Spirituality, a juried exhibition at the Julio Fine Arts Gallery.
• Anthony Marchese, ’26 (photography minor) was mentored by Professor Jon Malis in an independent study where he gained experience in sports, event, and editorial photography.
• Joe Mucciolo, ’17 (theatre major) played Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and Valentine in Two Gentleman of Verona at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA.
• Ben Napolitano, ’26 (interArts major) had his piece, Private Devotion, featured in Art and Spirituality, a juried exhibition at the Julio Fine Arts Gallery.
• Jazzy Nkala, ’23 (studio arts minor) had her piece, Chrysalis, featured in Creative Processing: Art in Therapy, an exhibition at The Mütter Museum at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA.
• Alexis Piasecki, ’26 (theatre major) received the 2025-2026 Diane Geppi-Aikens Service to Loyola Award.
• Sophia Randle, ’25 (studio arts major) had a guest artist exhibition at the Annapolis Pearl Gallery in Annapolis, MD.
• Deandre Smith, ’26 (photography minor) was accepted into the Photography + Media and Society Master of Fine Arts program at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, MD.
• Sam Stepnowski, ’18 (studio arts minor) illustrated Where Did Cain Go?: A Family's Walk Through Loss, a children's book about grief.
• Rowan Suder, ’17 (studio arts major) was the Installation Designer for Iron Crow Theatre's production of Next to Normal at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore, MD.
• Mary Velazquez, ’23 (studio arts minor) was named Red Emma’s September Artist of the Month and had an exhibition of her work featured at the venue.
• Laura Yacoubi, ’23 (art history & studio arts major) was accepted into the Art History and Criticism Master of Arts program at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Stony Brook, NY.

• Dr. Natka Bianchini directed Iron Crow Theatre's production of Next to Normal at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore, MD, which was the highest-grossing production in the company’s 16-year history. Dr. Bianchini also was the contributing editor for The Birthplace of Off Broadway: 100 Years of Cherry Lane Theatre, which was published by A24.
• Dr. Kerry Boeye published a review of the exhibition Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex and Gender in the Middle Ages at The Met Cloisters in the May 2026 volume of The Burlington Magazine.
• Professor Heather Braxton had a solo exhibition titled Erasure at The Club Car Baltimore in Baltimore, MD. Additionally, Professor Braxton was featured in multiple juried exhibitions, including Focus: Light and Shadow at the Black Box Gallery in Portland, OR, Ice Out of Baltimore at Waller Gallery in Baltimore, MD, and Spring Break at The Club Car Baltimore in Baltimore, MD.
• Professor Billy Friebele was featured in Critical Ground: Art and Environmental Justice, a juried exhibition at the Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, MD.
• Professor Lisa Green-Cudek had her poem, Intersections, published in Issue 20 of The Dancer Citizen: Feeling the Now and Moving Ahead.
• Professor Daniel Pinha was the Scenic Designer for Ave Lola's productions of Sonho de uma Noite de Verão (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) by William Shakespeare at SESC São Paulo and Sozinho com Romeu e Julieta (Alone with Romeo and Juliet) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Dr. Michael Rickelton served as the Assistant Conductor for multiple performances with Baltimore Choral Arts Society, including Rachmaninoff Vespers (All-Night Vigil), Christmas with Choral Arts, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Holiday Pops, Handel's Messiah, and Mahler's Symphony No. 8.
• Megan Rook-Koepsel juried the Winter Member Show 2026 at the Maryland Federation of Art’s Circle Gallery in Annapolis, MD.
• Professor Dan Schlapbach exhibited three photographs in the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Juried Show at the McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, VA. The juror was Karen E. Milbourne, the former senior curator at the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C.

Colorful campus murals by 2025-2026 Artist-in-Residence, Jaz Erenberg

This year’s Artist-in-Residence looked a little different than in previous years. Responding to a desire to create and enliven public spaces on campus, the Julio Fine Arts Gallery invited Baltimore muralist Jaz Erenberg to be our Artist-in-Residence for 2025-2026. Having identified several spots on campus in need of vibrancy, Jazz brought her signature community-engaged approach to Loyola, from which two unique murals were created. The process included visits to campus, a public survey, an artist talk, and a community workshop, which produced content that later became one of the two murals. The final works, Liminal Skies at Campion Tower and Liminal Growth on the Hopkins Court retaining wall, were installed in mid-April. These incredible new additions to Loyola’s campus would not be possible without grants from the Center for the Humanities, Loyola University Maryland, and the Maryland State Arts Council, and financial contributions from the Lily and Christine Sehn Fine Arts Programmatic Support Fund, the Counseling Center, and Residence Life.

Jaz Erenberg is a Baltimore-based public artist, community organizer, and advocate for creative expression and social justice. As a muralist and visual storyteller, Jaz’s work focuses on the intersection of art and activism, with a deep commitment to creating public art that reflects and celebrates the diversity, resilience, and history of the communities she serves. Jaz founded Baltimore's newest mural festival, which has quickly become a cornerstone for public art in the city, connecting local artists and residents through collaborative, large-scale projects. In addition to her work as an artist, Jaz is a passionate advocate for the intersection of public art and policy. She currently serves as the youngest female chair of Baltimore’s Public Art Commission, where she guides initiatives that shape the city's artistic landscape while fostering an environment of collaboration and inclusivity.

In November, Jaz came to campus to give an Artist talk, and to present some interesting data from the public survey that the Julio Fine Arts Gallery conducted. She spoke about her history as an artist, her transition into the practice of mural making, and presented what she learned about our campus, and our hopes and dreams for public art at Loyola. After Jaz's presentation, student moderators Kate Izzo, ’26, and Juliana Castellano, ’27, asked thoughtful questions and guided the Q&A.

Once Jaz had analyzed the survey, the planning process began. Her focus for both murals became the concept of liminality, explored through the lens of both space and experience. In the community workshops, students, faculty, and staff explored the idea of transitions, with a focus on the idea that college is a moment of in-between. Participants were asked to consider prompts that emphasized liminality, and then write reflections, design, and paint on leaf shapes that would ultimately form the mural Liminal Growth. The leaves would be adhered to the wall in a wave of falling leaves, reflecting the movement and transition of growth and learning. Over 65 students, faculty, and staff participated in the making of this community mural.

On April 7, Jaz and her team arrived to begin the mural installation at Campion Tower. The team worked most weekdays from April 7 through April 23 and finished both the painting at Campion, as well as the installation of the community painted leaves at Hopkins Court. Studio arts major Trevor SanGiorgio, ’26, gave the team a helping hand!

This mural unfolds as a sky of possibility, where clouds swirl in vibrant hues and graphic forms ripple across the surface, creating a contemplative space for reflection. Interwoven staircases crisscross the composition, inviting the viewer to step into the scene, tracing paths that ascend, descend, and intersect—symbolizing the myriad journeys of learning, growth, and self-discovery. Each path reflects the optimism and openness of Loyola University Maryland: a place where curiosity is nurtured, diverse perspectives are welcomed, and every step is an opportunity to grow. Here, the space between the clouds and the stairs becomes a liminal zone, a moment of pause and wonder, where reflection, acceptance, and transformation converge.

Over 65 Loyola Students, Faculty, and Staff participated in the creation of this mural. Through community workshops, participants were asked to reflect on the questions they are holding and the changes they are navigating. These thoughts were then inscribed onto leaf-shaped forms, a symbol of growth and cyclical change. Each leaf becomes a personal marker of curiosity and transformation. Together, the leaves are assembled into a collective homage to Lady Evergreen, transforming individual reflections into a shared visual offering.

This spring, the Visual and Performing Arts Department launched our event stamp card! The card functions like a loyalty punch card, with every Theatre Program, Music Program, Julio Fine Arts Gallery, and department event attended during the spring semester earning a stamp. Students with six or more stamps at the end of the semester had the chance to win a gift card. Completed stamp cards were collected at the department’s Spring Celebration, and the gift cards were awarded by raffle to three tiers based on the number of events that the students attended.

1st place: Leah Mazzuchelli, ’26

2nd place: Ava DeLeo, ’26

3rd place: Alejandro Mesa, ’27

Keep an eye out for the 2026-2027 stamp card, which will be released in September!

This spring, art history major Colette Paoli, ’27, received the inaugural award of the Lily and Christine Sehn Fine Arts Internship Fund! The fund was established to provide opportunities for students majoring in the visual arts to take on internships in the summer months to ease their financial burden and focus on the furthering of their career in the arts. The fund recognizes the important role that internships play in a student's education and furthering of career goals, while noting that many of these internships are unpaid and therefore may be out of reach for many students.

This summer, Colette will be interning at the Museum für Geschichte (Museum for History) in Graz, Austria. The Museum für Geschichte is a part of the Universalmuseum Joanneum, Austria’s oldest museum, as well as the largest universal museum in central Europe. The museum has around 40,000 pieces in its care, with a mission centered on preserving cultural heritage, advancing research, and making history and art accessible to the public through exhibitions and education. During the internship, Colette will gain hands-on experience in the day-to-day work of a museum, especially in areas like research, collections management, and exhibition preparation.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department and Sellinger School of Business and Management are excited to announce the new Arts Management minor program! Prepare to pursue a career in arts-related non-profits and commercial enterprises through an inter-disciplinary curriculum in the arts and business. By learning how to manage organizations and how to connect artists with audiences, you will acquire the skills to manage institutions vital to sustaining artistic expression, such as galleries, museums, music ensembles, and theatre companies. Graduate ready to support artists, engage audiences, and promote the missions of art institutions to educate and inspire.

Students interested in the Arts Management minor should fill out the interest form linked below. Please contact Dr. Barnaby Nygren (brnygren@loyola.edu) for more information!

The Visual and Performing Arts Department has Federal Work-Study positions open in photography, studio arts, theatre, the Julio Fine Arts Gallery, and the department office! Interested students should submit their applications via Handshake in late August. Students who are eligible for Federal Work-Study for the 2026-2027 academic year are strongly encouraged to check their Loyola email account over the summer for important communications from the Office of Financial Aid.

Hey Class of 2026! As you leave Loyola, we’d love to hear about your experience in the Visual and Performing Arts Department and what your future plans are. Is there a professor who helped guide you? Was there a class that you absolutely loved? Do you have exciting post-graduation plans that you’d like to share? All feedback is welcome.