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The Dishman Art Museum is showcasing the depth and diversity of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University's (LU) artistic community this summer through two exhibitions that celebrate alumni achievement while exploring themes of resilience, humanity and belonging.

“After School Special: The ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University Seventh Juried Alumni Art Exhibition” and “Bridges to Belonging” feature works by alumni, students, faculty and community artists, highlighting the creative impact of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University both on campus and throughout Southeast Texas.

Selected through a blind jury process by the Art Museum of Southeast Texas’ Curator of Exhibitions, Caitlin Clay, After School Special features seven accomplished LU alumni whose work spans painting, photography, graphic design, illustration and mixed media.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of working in Alumni Affairs at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University is being able to highlight the accomplishments of our graduates," Shannon Figueroa, director of alumni affairs and advancement services said. "Through our partnership with the Dishman Art Museum, the After School Special exhibition provides a unique opportunity to celebrate the artistic talents of ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University alumni while reconnecting them with the university. We are honored to showcase the inspiring work of our alumni artists and share their creativity with our students, faculty, staff and broader Southeast Texas community."

Among the featured artists is Gail Binagia, a Southeast Texas native who earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from LU in 1986 before returning to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art-painting in 2019. Encouraged by mentors Donna Meeks and Chris Troutman, Binagia has continued to develop her artistic practice through portrait workshops with contemporary artists Oliver Sin and AJ Alper. Her work has been exhibited in local and international juried exhibitions as well as regional art festivals.

Port Neches native Seth Carl, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design with a minor in art history in 2025, creates illustrations and designs that explore personally meaningful themes while emphasizing storytelling and connection.

Brandi Hamilton, a 2021 graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art-photography, combines computers, circuit boards and other technological materials with domestic surfaces to create mixed-media works. Drawing on nearly two decades working in Space Operations, Hamilton's art bridges technical precision and intuitive creativity. Her work has been exhibited at Houston FotoFest and Art at CoS in Colorado Springs.

Photographer Ginger Gore Russell, a 1999 LU graduate currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University, draws inspiration from the landscapes and cultural narratives of Deep East Texas. After careers in graphic design and commercial photography, she transitioned to fine art in 2017, creating images that explore storytelling, identity and human nature.

Cathy Spence, who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art in 1997, is an award-winning photographer whose work is included in the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Wittliff Collections and the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. A recipient of the Houston Center for Photography Fellowship, Spence has exhibited throughout Texas for more than two decades, including solo exhibitions at the Dishman Art Museum.

Chloe Thompson, a 2023 LU graduate with bachelor's degrees in studio art and biology, currently serves as the Dishman Art Museum's curatorial and administrative assistant while pursuing master's degrees in public health at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University and art history at Lindenwood University. Her charcoal and pen-and-ink drawings have been exhibited in Florence, Italy, as well as galleries and museums throughout Texas. 

Amy Tolbert-Faggard earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies from LU in 1994 before returning to complete a Master of Arts in visual arts in 2013. Working primarily in oil paints, her work has appeared in numerous solo and group exhibitions while reflecting a lifelong commitment to artistic exploration.

The museum is also presenting Bridges to Belonging, a collaborative exhibition between the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University Resiliency Think Tank and the Dishman Art Museum. Centered on themes of humanity, humility and resiliency, the exhibition showcases creative responses to shared societal challenges through artwork created by alumni, faculty, staff, students and members of the Southeast Texas community.

Participating artists include alumni Brandi Hamilton, Emily Lewis-Zazzaro, Nicolette Hamilton, Grace Chadwick, Gonzalo Alvarez, Alex Sholl, Sonia Thompson, Elizabeth Dean Fontenot, Cynthia "Tonene" Ligon-Carriere, Cathy Spence, Janeal White, Anselyn Joya and Chloe Thompson. The exhibition also features work by Ashe Gardner, assistant professor of art; current student Rachel Durham; former student Alanna Thompson; and community artist Liudmyla "Mila" Syler.

Together, the two exhibitions demonstrate ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University's continued commitment to fostering artistic excellence while creating opportunities for alumni, students, faculty and community members to engage in meaningful conversations through art.

Visitors can experience both exhibitions throughout the summer at the Dishman Art Museum, where admission is free and open to the public.