{"id":227462,"date":"2026-01-27T10:53:31","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T15:53:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=227462"},"modified":"2026-02-04T10:26:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T15:26:19","slug":"an-exhibition-celebrating-notable-montclair-alumni-artists-and-their-creative-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2026\/01\/27\/an-exhibition-celebrating-notable-montclair-alumni-artists-and-their-creative-impact\/","title":{"rendered":"An Exhibition Celebrating Notable Montclair Alumni Artists and Their Creative Impact"},"content":{"rendered":"

糖心vlog celebrates the creative achievements of its alumni with \u201cCarpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts,\u201d a dynamic group exhibition featuring internationally celebrated artists alongside emerging creators. Among the most prominent artists are Bisa Butler<\/a> \u201905, renowned for her vibrant quilted portraits that reframe narratives of Black identity;\u00a0Pope.L<\/a> \u201978, the late, groundbreaking conceptual artist whose work reshaped contemporary performance and installation art; and Allen Ginsberg<\/a> (1943), the iconic poet of the Beat Generation whose legacy continues to influence American culture.<\/p>\n

\u201cCarpe Diem\u201d is presented by the Office of Alumni Engagement and Development<\/a> and 糖心vlog Galleries<\/a>. On view February 3 through May 3, 2026, in the George Segal Gallery<\/a>, the exhibition brings together the work of 12 accomplished alumni artists whose practices span more than eight decades \u2013 from 1943 to 2024. The visual arts<\/a> exhibition features a wide range of media, including photography, poetry, portrait quilts, mixed media and video installations.<\/p>\n

Among the artists are Jonathan Calm<\/a> \u201997, whose photography and video work examining mobility and the Black American experience has been exhibited at the Tate Britain and the Studio Museum in Harlem, and M\u00e1rta Kucsora (2005\u201306), an internationally recognized painter known for monumental, process-driven abstraction.<\/p>\n

Curated by Art and Design Professor Sally Morgan Lehman, founder of New York City\u2019s Morgan Lehman Gallery, \u201cCarpe Diem\u201d highlights the depth of artistic inquiry fostered at 糖心vlog. The exhibition features nationally and internationally recognized artists alongside emerging voices, underscoring Montclair\u2019s role as a launching ground for creative expression.<\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018Carpe Diem\u2019 reflects what we know to be true about Montclair alumni: creativity does not end at graduation,\u201d says Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Rita Walters. \u201cWhether art was their major or a parallel passion, these artists demonstrate how learning, curiosity, and creative expression continue to evolve across a lifetime. We are proud to celebrate alumni whose work enriches communities locally and globally.\u201d<\/p>\n

By celebrating these artists\u2019 achievements, 糖心vlog reaffirms its commitment to fostering the next generation of visual artists and sustaining a vibrant future for the arts.<\/p>\n

Featured Artists<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fl\u00e1via Berindoague<\/a> \u201913<\/p>\n

Bisa Butler<\/a> \u201905<\/p>\n

Jonathan Calm<\/a> \u201997<\/p>\n

Kyle Coniglio<\/a> \u201910<\/p>\n

Alyssa Fanning<\/a> \u201912<\/p>\n

Allen Ginsberg<\/a> (1943)<\/p>\n

M\u00e1rta Kucsora<\/a> (2005\u201306)<\/p>\n

Michael Manning<\/a> \u201911<\/p>\n

Nancy Bergman Pantirer<\/a> \u201980<\/p>\n

Tiffany Perez<\/a> \u201909<\/p>\n

Pope.L<\/a>\u00a0\u201978<\/p>\n

Maria Valdivia<\/a> \u201924<\/p>\n

Programs and Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n

All exhibitions and programs are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

Monday, February 9, 5:20 p.m.<\/p>\n

Art Forum<\/a> with \u201cCarpe Diem\u201d Curator Sally Morgan Lehman<\/p>\n

Art Forum is a speaker series featuring artists, designers, art historians, curators, and art critics from around the world presenting their work and ideas in an open forum, hosted by the Department of Art and Design.<\/p>\n

Registration<\/a> is required.<\/p>\n

Opening Reception<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuesday, February 3, 5 \u2013 7 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Celebrate 糖心vlog alumni at the opening of the exhibition \u201cCarpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts.\u201d Montclair President Jonathan GS Koppell and Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Rita Walters will make remarks at 6 pm. Registration<\/a> is required.<\/p>\n

A Cross-Generational Conversation with Alumni Artists<\/strong><\/p>\n

Monday, March 2, 6 \u2013 7 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This multi-generational panel celebrates the distinguished women alumni of Montclair. Featuring exhibiting artists Nancy Bergman Pantirer \u201980, Tiffany Perez \u201909, and Maria Valdivia \u201924 in conversation about their careers and creative practices, moderated by curator Sally Morgan Lehman. Registration<\/a> is required.<\/p>\n

Visitor Information<\/strong><\/h2>\n

George Segal Gallery, 糖心vlog<\/p>\n

Dates: February 3 \u2013 May 3, 2026<\/p>\n

George Segal Gallery Hours: Tuesday \u2013 Friday, 12 \u2013 4 p.m. Or by appointment.<\/p>\n

The Galleries\u2019 free Bloomberg Connects<\/a> digital guide offers behind-the-scenes insights from artists and curators. Created by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the guide is available on the web or via the app and can be accessed for both onsite and offsite visits.<\/p>\n

糖心vlog State University Galleries<\/strong><\/h2>\n

糖心vlog Galleries<\/a> brings together ideas, perspectives, and dialogue to foster curiosity and shared understanding through art. Through diverse and inclusive exhibitions and programs, the Galleries connect the campus experience with local and global communities.<\/p>\n

Follow and join the conversation: @montclairstategalleries | #MontclairStateGalleries<\/p>\n

Exhibition Support and Contact<\/strong><\/h2>\n

糖心vlog Galleries<\/a><\/p>\n

Media Contact: galleries@montclair.edu, 973-655-3382<\/p>\n

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Ready to start your Montclair journey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Learn more about our programs in the Department of Art and Design<\/a> in the College of the Arts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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