College of Visual & Performing Arts Feature Stories

At the UMass Dartmouth College of Visual & Performing Arts (CVPA), we celebrate the creativity and achievements of our students and faculty. Explore inspiring stories about innovative projects, artistic expression, and global experiences. Discover how CVPA nurtures talent and prepares students for successful careers in the arts.

Apeksha Prasai '25: Embracing change

Junior interior architecture and design major hopes to make home country more accessible

Monika Kristjánsdóttir '25: Making an impact

First-generation international honors student-athlete uses talents and passions to make a difference

Melanie Veilleux '24: Graphic designer

Graphic design student builds professional résumé in on-campus experiences

The Torch

News for students, by students, keeps campus informed

Left to right: Kelsey Ferreira, Cami Boyd-Thomas, and Caro Cuevas pictured in Kyoto, Japan

Three CVPA students spend winter session in Kyoto, Japan

Arts majors study Japanese manga and anime for art history requirement

Connor Chan '24

Drawing major explores the anatomy of friendship in his work for the 2024 Senior Exhibition

Cheyenne Amaral pictured in the Claire T. Carney Library

Cheyenne Amaral '23: Problem-solving

Interior architecture + design major is well-equipped for a career in interior design

Bronwyn Pearson '24: Music education

Junior music major and incumbent pep band president gains real-world experience studying her passion

Stephannie Marie Vallee pictures in the amphitheater.

Stephannie Marie Vallee '24: Pathway to success

Animation and game arts major with illustration and graphic design minors finds faculty support in career plan shift

Cade Hanley '24, poses at the hockey team's media shoot before the 2022-23 season.

Cade Hanley '24: Artist-Student-Athlete

Montana native, art education major, and captain of the Corsair hockey team calls UMassD the perfect fit

Craig Rousseau ’93: A comic book artist explores his potential at UMassD

Renowned illustrator Rousseau left UMass Dartmouth feeling more prepared than ever to face an evolving arts industry.

Grechel Rosado '20 at Waterfire Arts Center

Grechel Rosado '20 finds home away from home at UMassD

From printmaking to art program management, Rosado remains inspired by her strong UMassD roots that taught her the true meaning of community.

Illustration major Emily Fontes '23 creates a pitch deck for children's TV show for Honors College APEX project

Also doubled minored in Business Administration and Art History

Senior Interior Architecture & Design major Kassidey Star

Kassidey Star '23: An award-winning designer

Senior interior architecture and design major believes she was meant for IAD program

Senior art history major Kayla Rausch '23 pictured in the Claire T. Carney Library

Kayla Rausch '23: Practical experiences

Senior art history major grows personally and professionally through research

The Corsairs Band

Students start, run pep band for campus events

Evan Grant '23: Using creativity to solve problems

Senior graphic design major develops experience in the classroom, research, and the field

Daniela Tishchenko '23: Invaluable experience

Senior interior architecture and design major boasts extensive internship, service-learning, and club experience

Students return to UMassD after summer study abroad

Seven students recount their experiences in Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain

Deidre Tao ’93: How to build a successful art career

With a strong foundation in studio arts acquired at UMassD, Tao turned her passion into a career as a self-represented artist.

Logan Ward '22, senior illustration major

Logan Ward '22: Finding support

Senior illustration major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts

Mary Roberts, Class of 2022, Photography Major

Mary Roberts '22: Building a community

Senior photography major and art history minor from Springfield, MA

Michaela Arruda '22: A socially engaged artist

Senior art and design major and art history minor with a concentration in graphic design

Alumni Feature: Marcus Howard '19

A complete art education with a university experience made UMassD the place to be for Marcus.

Heather Kelley, CVPA, Interior Architecture and Design student

Heather Kelly '21 makes Metropolis Magazine's Top 100

The recent grad talks about her experience as a transfer student, the success of the CVPA’s flourishing Interior Architecture + Design Program, & making Metropolis Magazine’s list of “Top 100 Design Students in North America.”

Sung Ji Li, MFA student at UMass Dartmouth's College of Visual and Performing Arts

Sung Ji Lee '21: Finding a home away from home

Inspired to reignite her career after moving to the US from South Korea, Sung finds the ideal balance between managing family life, pursuing an MFA, & promoting her career as a textile artist.

Valleri Rami, MFA student at UMassD's College of Visual and Performing Arts

Valleri Rami '21: Art & leadership

Artist Valleri Rami talks about the CVPA’s rigorous MFA program & developing her confidence through leadership roles.

James Tooker, graphic design student at UMassD

James Tooker '21: Exploring color spectrum

An awe-inspiring glimpse of nature led James to create "Interspectral," a CVPA senior capstone project in which audiences of all ages can interactively explore the color spectrum.