Montclair State University will host an exhibition titled “Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts,” highlighting the creative achievements of its alumni. The show, organized by the Office of Alumni Engagement and Development along with Montclair State University Galleries, will run from February 3 to May 3, 2026, at the George Segal Gallery.
The exhibition features work from 12 alumni artists whose careers span more than eighty years, including internationally recognized figures such as Bisa Butler ’05, known for her quilted portraits focusing on Black identity; William Pope.L ’78, a conceptual artist influential in performance and installation art; and Allen Ginsberg (1943), poet of the Beat Generation.
Other participating artists include Jonathan Calm ’97, who explores mobility and Black American experiences through photography and video; Márta Kucsora (2005–06), recognized for large-scale abstract paintings; Flávia Berindoague ’13; Kyle Coniglio ’10; Alyssa Fanning ’12; Michael Manning ’11; Nancy Bergman Pantirer ’80; Tiffany Perez ’09; and Maria Valdivia ’24. The exhibition covers various media such as photography, poetry, mixed media, video installations, and portrait quilts.
Sally Morgan Lehman—an Art and Design professor at Montclair State University and founder of New York City’s Morgan Lehman Gallery—curated the show. According to organizers, “Carpe Diem” demonstrates how Montclair fosters artistic inquiry across generations.
“ ‘Carpe Diem’ reflects what we know to be true about Montclair alumni: creativity does not end at graduation,” said Rita Walters, Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement. “Whether 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.”
Programs associated with the exhibition include an Art Forum talk by curator Sally Morgan Lehman on February 9 at 5:20 p.m., an opening reception on February 3 from 5–7 p.m.—with remarks by President Jonathan GS Koppell—and a cross-generational panel discussion featuring women alumni artists on March 2.
Admission is free for all events. The George Segal Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Visitors can access additional content through Bloomberg Connects’ digital guide.
Montclair State University Galleries aim to connect campus life with local and global communities through inclusive exhibitions that encourage dialogue around art.
For more information about programs offered by Montclair’s Department of Art and Design within the College of the Arts or inquiries regarding this event, contact galleries@montclair.edu or call 973-655-3382.
