Lesley University College of Art and Design

It’s thesis season at LA+D!
Lesley Art + Design is thrilled to announce the 2026 Undergraduate Thesis Exhibitions and Film Screenings, showcasing the culminating work of this year’s graduating class.

From studios and classrooms to digital spaces and print labs, these exhibitions bring into public view the diverse and compelling projects our students have developed throughout the year.

A cornerstone of the LA+D experience, the senior thesis exhibitions celebrate the creativity, dedication, and vision of our students—and invite the entire Lesley community and beyond to experience their work.

Lesley College of Art + Design
1801 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140

And

The Brattle Theater
40 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

One of the best parts of hosting exhibitions is watching young visitors encounter the work for the first time.

Today, students from Lesley Ellis School joined us to explore Citizen Printer by Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. reading, reflecting, and filling their notebooks with responses to the prints. Thank you to the students and teachers of Lesley Ellis for bringing such curiosity and energy to the space.
Amos reminds us that print is meant to be lived with, questioned, and shared. Seeing students take ownership of the ideas in the exhibition is exactly why galleries matter.

We loved having you here, Lesley Ellis!

LA+D students!: Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. is on campus right now until 5 PM. Stop by the letterpress studio and collaborate with our visiting artist—set type, ink up, and pull a print on our Vandercook press. Come for a few minutes or stay awhile and be part of today’s edition.

📅 February 11–12 at LA+D

LA+D students are invited to join us for two hands-on print workshops on February 11 with Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. and Kelly Walters.
🖨️ Letterpress with Amos (9am–5pm)
🖨️ RISO with Kelly (12pm–5pm)

Come for an hour or stay all day—drop in and engage with two incredible artists working across print, design, and community-centered making.

On February 12, join us for a gallery talk & reception (5:30–7:30pm) featuring Amos and Kelly in conversation, moderated by Shalini Prasad, Chair of Design at LA+D. Together they’ll explore print and design as tools for authorship, social justice, and public dialogue.

✨ Workshops for LA+D students • Talk & reception open to all

COMING SOON!:
Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.: CITIZEN PRINTER
December 1, 2025 – March 1, 2026

AMOS PAUL KENNEDY, JR.: CITIZEN PRINTER is a major solo exhibition presented in partnership with the Letterform Archive in San Francisco and celebrating the work of renowned letterpress printer Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. Curated by Kelly Walters—artist, designer, and founder of Bright Polka Dot Studio—the exhibition presents a wide range of printed artifacts, including church fans, state maps, postcards, and large-scale posters that embody Kennedy’s lifelong commitment to social justice and civil rights.

Roberts Gallery, Lesley Art + Design
1801 Mass. Ave., Cambridge.

In You, I See Me
On view through November 23
Reception: November 20, 12–2pm

We’re proud to launch the Emerging Curators Series, an annual initiative that selects one LA+D student to conceive and jury an exhibition each fall. This inaugural show—curated by Delana Thompson—invites students, faculty, and staff to contribute self-portraits in any medium. Together, these works explore identity, community, and the many ways we see ourselves and one another through art.

Featuring work by: Kaitlyn Burns, Tynan Byrne, Matthew Cherry, Michael David, Alan Dursee, Gianna Freni, Gabriella Hanschke, Mariana Hernandez, Nancy Jones, Najin Kim, Thomas Matthews, Micah Schlatter, Yelitse Servellon

Gallery Hours: Mon: 9–6, Tue: 9–6, Wed: 9–6, Thu: 9–8, Fri: 9–6, Sat: 12–5, Sun: 12–5

Lesley Art + Design invites you to a reception for our 2025 Faculty Exhibition, held in the Roberts Gallery on Thursday, October 2, from 5–7 pm.

This exhibition brings together the creative research and studio practices of our core faculty, highlighting the breadth of artistic inquiry across the college. Visitors will view photography, animation, drawing, and painting alongside experimental film, and interactive installations that reflects the range of voices shaping LA+D’s teaching and scholarship.

The evening reception offers an opportunity to engage directly with the work of our faculty and celebrate their contributions to the cultural and academic life of Lesley University. Light refreshments will be served.

Participating artists include: Michael Annear, Catriona Baker, Louisa Bertman, Kate Castelli, Matthew Cherry, Leah Craig, Michael David, Eugene Dorgan, Derek Hoffend, Dr. Kristina Lamour Sansone, Matthew Nash, Vivian Poey, Shalini Prasad, Brandon Strathmann, and Lilla Szekely.

Congratulations to LA+D exhibiting artist Scooter LaForge on yet another exciting project and this current article in Artsy! LaForge’s clothing has been prominently featured in HBO’s acclaimed series White Lotus, which is currently airing.

LaForge’s work has been the focus of a mid-career retrospective curated by LA+D’s Director of Exhibitions, Andrew Mroczek. To fully showcase the breadth of LaForge’s artistic practice, Mroczek divided the retrospective into two parts.

The first installment, “Scooter LaForge: Enchanted Anarchies & Other Realities,” was presented last semester and highlighted the artist’s paintings and sculptures. The second installment, “LaForge, Sweetie! The Fashion Universe of Scooter LaForge,” is currently on view and focuses on LaForge’s fashion and accessories.

“This second exhibition of Scooter’s work shines a spotlight on his created and reconstructed garments,” Mroczek explains. “What captivates me most is the work’s integrity—an authentic and seamless progression from Scooter’s paintings and sculptures to these creations. While clothing is, by nature, ephemeral, Scooter’s approach aligns perfectly with his broader artistic vision. We are so fortunate to have showcased Scooter’s work in our galleries this academic year. His exhibitions have brought immense joy to our college and provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with a multidimensional artist whose work weaves powerful and captivating narratives.”

Come meet Scooter LaForge at the reception for “LaForge, Sweetie! The Fashion Universe of Scooter LaForge” this Thursday, March 20, from 5–7 PM at Lesley Art + Design, 1801 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge. Be sure to check out the feature on Artsy—and, of course, don’t miss White Lotus on HBO!

We are so fortunate to have showcased Scooter LaForge’s work in our galleries this academic year. His exhibitions have brought immense joy to our college and provided students with a unique opportunity to engage with a multidimensional artist whose work weaves powerful and captivating narratives.”

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Lesley Art + Design is thrilled to announce the 2025 Undergraduate Thesis Exhibitions and Film Screenings. These events celebrate the graduating class’s creative achievements, displaying an array of compelling projects developed in studios, classrooms, digital spaces, and print labs throughout the academic year. The exhibitions represent a pivotal moment for students, showcasing their artistic growth, innovative approaches, and unique perspectives to the Lesley community and wider audiences. Congrats LA+D Class of 2025!!

LaForge Sweetie: The Workshop!
Create Bold, Wearable Art with Visiting Artist Scooter LaForge
Get ready to transform your wardrobe with the one and only Scooter LaForge! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll dive into the world of textile painting and modification, exploring bold techniques using paint, rhinestones, sequin, and upcycling magic.
Bring your own clothing and accessories to customize, or experiment with provided bandannas and tote bags—all materials, including paints, rhinestones, and other creative supplies, will be available.
Come for the art, stay for the inspiration, and leave with a one-of-a-kind wearable masterpiece! Lunch will be served!
Wednesday, March 19, 12-4pm
Lesley Art + Design
Lunder Arts Center, Lower Level

LaForge’s fashion blurs the lines between painting, sculpture, and fashion, making his designs sought after by icons such as Madonna, Beyoncé, Boy George, Nicki Minaj, Iggy Pop, Lil Wayne, Rihanna, Debbie Harry, and Miley Cyrus. Don’t miss this opportunity to experiment, create, and learn from a visionary artist and fashion icon!