Glow for It!

In April, the Steward community was treated to a glow-in-the-dark interactive exhibit in the Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts: the Glow Show. Visual Arts Teachers Abby Klein, Kristin Snellings, and Lynn Zinder teamed up to plan the show, which featured fluorescent art by students in grades K-12. Multi-divisional projects such as this one encourage Spartans of all ages to explore the bounds of creative expression. 

Visitors entered a magical world when they stepped through the heavy black curtains that led to the exhibit room. On the floor was a radiant pathway of orbs, and lining the walls were glowy, showy flowers and brilliantly colored birds, portraits, sea creatures, and abstracts. A special thank you to our theatre tech students, who built a stand for the blackout curtains. 

“Our students created the artwork for this show over many months,” said Ms. Zinder, who will retire this year after 30 years at Steward. “Many didn’t realize that when a blacklight is placed in front of fluorescent material, it glows. I heard lots of them exclaim, ‘Wow!’ when they entered the exhibit. It was amazing!” 

Andy Orgain ’25 painted “John Bone Jovi” for the Glow Show.

 

“I wanted to make a skull and have it look friendly and vibrant,” she said. “I was ecstatic when I saw my painting in the Glow Show. The only regret I have is not wearing any neon on the day of the exhibit!”

Attendees could also nibble on glow-in-the-dark treats created by Anne Maury Haapala, director of dining services, and get their faces painted with glow-in-the-dark designs. 

“Parents and students were amazed when they stepped into the darkened room and saw the vibrant colors glowing on the walls and floor!” said Ms. Klein.