BISFA Photo & Cinema

Huge congratulations to sophomore Grant Bloyer for winning Best in Show at the Capital Women’s Care Fine Arts Competition! Our intensive four-year program requires deep discipline, critical thought, and time to truly begin to master the craft of professional photography. For a sophomore to take home this top honor is an incredible achievement. Grant possesses a unique vision. He makes incredibly thoughtful decisions behind the lens and excels at telling powerful stories through his photos. We are so proud of you, Grant! Keep it up! 🌟📸 💜

Announcing a free filmmaker pop-up during Baltimore Artscape, hosted by Towson EMF alum Imani Muleyyar! On Saturday, May 23rd from 1-3pm, at 24 N High St, Baltimore, MD, join us as we bring the Baltimore Cinematic Universe to the country's largest free art festival.

Come out and network with the BCU crew, learn about new productions happening around town, and find out how you can join the movement. Need help with your film? Sit down with the BCU staff and get production, promotion and distribution advice. Stick around for a FREE pop-up class from BCU founder Imani Muleyyar on making a living as a full-time filmmaker.

Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-bcu-artscape-takeover-tickets-1988365886893?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=wsa&aff=ebdsshwebmobile

Our last senior spotlight and takeover for 2026 is Dane Johnson! “Hi! I’m Dane Johnson and I am also one of the seven seniors in the Photography and Cinematography program at BISFA. After high school I’ll be at Hagerstown Community College. I just recently declared my major in General Studies, and as of right now I am working towards a Certificate in Web/Multimedia Technology. After I graduate from Hagerstown Community College I plan on attending Sheffield Institute for the Recording Arts. I have attended all 4 years in this department and have truly been gifted with plenty of opportunities whether it be meeting new people or learning new things. Looking back on how far I’ve come from editing YouTube videos on my ipod and on playstation share factory to now being competent in adobe photoshop and other adobe programs. Please consider coming to the Senior Exhibition ‘An Elegant Farewell’ on Friday, May 8th from 5:30-7. ” 💜

Another Senior Spotlight and Takeover! Here is Zaine Beaver! Photo 1 & 2, The Artist, Photo 3 to 6 Recent Work. “Bello! My name is Zaine Beaver and I’m one of seven seniors graduating from the Photography and Cinematography Department at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. After graduation, I am pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts at the Maryland Institute College of Art majoring in Photography with a minor in Curatorial Studies. In the future, I plan to be a professional fashion photographer for a magazine then settle down later to teach and start a family (in a big city I hope). As Burk Uzzle said, ‘Photography is a love affair with life.’ and being in the Photo & Cinema department for all four years has truly changed my life for the better. I was able to learn not just how to improve my work but how to improve myself as a person and a professional. There have been so many opportunities and experiences offered in this department and I am forever grateful for them. I hope that through my work and my life, I will be able to change something for the better. I hope to see you at our senior show entitled ‘An Elegant Farewell’ on Friday May 8th from 5:30-7 on the Second Floor of the VG building.”

Next Senior Spotlight and Takeover, Mya Heckert! Pictures 1-3, the Artist, pictures 4-6 recent works. “Hi! My name is Mya Heckert and I’m one of the seniors in the Photo & Cinema Department at BISFA. My plan after graduating high school is to go to Towson University to major in Electronic Media and Film on a Radio/Audio Track. I’ve always had a love for Music and in my time in photo-cinema I’ve been exposed to all the different and intriguing components audio in itself is for film and live events, so I figured the Radio/Audio Track–although possibly a challenge–would offer me future opportunities in audio engineering for live events, movies or even working at a radio station. Transferring to BISFA for my sophomore year was a very spontaneous and last second decision but it’s a decision I’ll never regret. I’ve been opened to so many opportunities, challenges and lessons I don’t believe I would’ve experienced anywhere else. I truly value my time here at BISFA in Photo-Cinema and the wonderful memories with my classmates, lessons learned, and skills I’ve been taught both technical and professional. So please join us for our last hoorah as seniors at our senior exhibition ‘An Elegant Farewell’ on Friday May 8th from 5:30-7:00!”

Next Senior in the Spotlight is Evy Renshaw! Photo 1-4 Recent Work and Photo 5-6 The Artist! “Bello!! My name is Evelyn Renshaw and I’m a senior in the Photo & Cinema Department at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts! After graduation I’ll be attending Pennsylvania State University’s Altoona campus for two years before transferring to University Park. I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Biology, and potentially will continue on to get my masters. In the future I hope to use my degree in labs and throughout the field, helping people and scientific development! I started my BISFA journey in the theater department, being a part of their technical theater track for two years before making the decision to switch over to Photo & Cinema. But no matter what department I’ve been in, I’ve always been incredibly grateful for the experiences and opportunities this school has to offer. Between academically and socially I’ve grown so much as a person and I wouldn’t change that for the world! If you wanna come see some amazing work, made by some amazing people, please come support at our senior show: “A Elegant Farewell” Friday May 8th, 5:30-7 on the second floor of the BISFA building!!

Did you know Hagerstown has its own community of aspiring young filmmakers?! Experience the magic of Lights, Camera, BISFA: Student Film Showcase! Join the BISFA Foundation for a glamorous evening celebrating our next generation of cinematic talent.

-When: Thursday, May 14 | 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
-Where: Live at Hub City Vinyl, Hagerstown, MD
-Dress: Black-tie optional (Dress to impress!)
-Perks: Heavy hors d’oeuvres + 1 drink ticket included.

Tickets & RSVP
💰 $30 Single | $50 Couple

Why Attend?
Your ticket directly funds opportunities for BISFA’s rising stars. Don’t miss your chance to see these incredible films on the big screen! Who knows, you could be supporting a future Oscar Winner!!

🎟️ Get Tickets: Buy tickets here: https://tr.ee/ssGKRuuIqU

or Head to our Link tree in our bio to buy tickets or Email [email protected] today that you would like to attend.
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This is the week! Please join us this Friday, May 8th from 5:30-7:00pm for An Elegant Farewell, a senior show celebrating the collective work of the BISFA Photo & Cinema Class of 2026! We’ve worked hard to bring this vision to life, and we would love to see you there! 📸 Check out the invite for a look at our class and the full invite!

Event Details:
* Date: May 8th, 2026
* Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
* Location: 2nd Floor, Vincent Groh Academic Building
* School: Barbara Ingram School for the Arts
* Address: 7 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21742

Celebrating the work of:
Zaine Beaver, Taylor Brown, Tyler Crutchley, Peyton Fitz, Mya Heckert, Dane Johnson, and Evelyn Renshaw.

Don’t miss out—come help us celebrate our final showcase! 🎬 💜

✨Big News Alert!✨

We are beyond thrilled to announce that one of our very own 9th-grade Photo & Cinema student Ilyana Powell has been awarded a Scholastic Art & Writing National Silver Medal for her photography! 📸🥈

This is an absolutely incredible achievement, especially for a freshman. To put the magnitude of this honor into perspective:
-The Best of the Best: The National Silver Medal represents one of the highest honors available to creative high school students in the United States.
-Top 1%: Ilyana now places among the top 1% of approximately 340,000 annual submissions across 29 different art and writing categories.
-National Recognition: This award identifies her as one of the most promising young artists in the entire country.

Being recognized on a national stage so early in her high school career is a testament to her vision, technical skill, and dedication to the craft of photography.

We are so incredibly proud of you Ilyana!! Join us in the comments by dropping a “Congratulations!” below to her! 🎉👏 💜