In a fall 2025 trip to New York City, seniors majoring in visual arts gained inspiration for their capstone projects and learned about pursuing careers in the arts.
It was a busy few days full of amazing, memorable experiences.
The students visited different museums and galleries, and met and connected with artists and Denison alums. They learned a lot about what their futures as artists might look like and gained a clearer understanding of what working in a creative field could entail.
Mark Moore ’26 left the experience feeling inspired and confident about his future as an artist.
“I think seeing so many rich works in their truest forms in a place like NYC allowed me to feel more confident with going out there and trying things in my own work that I never would have thought to do,” said Moore.
The trip confirmed Moore’s desire to live in a big city and work as an artist.
Monica Olvera ’26 had similar takeaways. “This experience strengthened my passion and drive to pursue a career in the art world,” she said. “I also learned how the art world continues to flourish and persist despite society’s perception of art as an unstable career path.”
Meeting Denison alums who have successfully pursued careers in art was both encouraging and eye-opening, and the connections students made will remain valuable as they begin navigating life after graduation.
But this trip wasn’t just about networking — it was also about seeing amazing artwork. They toured Amant, an arts organization in Brooklyn, with Chief Curator Tobi Maier, and visited the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
A highlight for Moore was seeing Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” in person at the Museum of Modern Art. “It was such a dream come true and I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
Olvera enjoyed spending time with her fellow senior art majors. “We had so many laughs exploring the city together and made memories I’ll never forget,” she said.
