07/13/2026
Over the past two summers, Professor Foti’s painting students have transformed the practice rooms in the Shea Center for the Performing Arts with a cycle of 26 stunning murals inspired by the theme of World Music.
Drawing from their personal relationships with music, culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, and the Music Department’s international curriculum, each student developed an original concept, created scaled preliminary drawings, and presented a formal proposal to Music Department Chair Dr. MacDonald.
The completed murals reflect both the global power of music and the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion shared by the Art and Music departments.
The works explore a remarkable range of stories and traditions. One mural traces the history of jazz from Africa and the transatlantic slave trade to the streets of New Orleans. Another honors Lauryn Hill and her role in challenging gender and racial barriers in the hip-hop industry. A celebration of Andean music depicts spirit figures playing traditional instruments alongside dancers participating in a ritual ceremony.
Additional murals explore Latin, Caribbean, Celtic, folk, rock, disco, and country music, highlighting the many ways music shapes us both universally and personally.
Congratulations to the undergraduate and graduate artists who brought this extraordinary project to life: Omer Avcioglu, Sophia Delannoy, Karina Diaz, Maryellen Finan, Clara Francis, Samir Hargrove, Fiona Healy, Elizabeth Hernandez-Victoriano, Miley Jiatz, Anna Kuhn, Danielle Lagomarsino, Christian Montanez, Jasmine Pantoja, Millenia Ramirez, Yocelin Ramirez, El Sanchez, and Marien.
