The art therapy minor replaces a pre-art therapy concentration that was offered from 2019-22. Anna Westfall, associate professor of art and director of the VACA program, and Dr. Michael Horst, dean of Health, Behavioral, and Natural Sciences and director of the undergraduate psychology program, submitted their proposal for the minor last fall. It was approved by the Academic Council in November.

Through psychology courses, students will explore the science of human behavior and the mind, while VACA courses will engage them in the creative process and the conceptual and expressive outlets of art making, according to the proposal. 鈥淏y providing this minor, prospective students can explore both interests while seeing a clear path of study to a career that is not available at many institutions,鈥� it states. 鈥淔urthermore, it will give current students the tools to succeed when applying to graduate programs in art therapy.鈥�

What is art therapy?

Art therapy, as defined by the , is a mental health profession that enriches the lives of individuals, families, and communities through active art making, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship.

鈥淓specially when people are struggling, facing a challenge, or even a health crisis鈥攖heir own words or language fails them,鈥� the AATA says. 鈥淒uring these times, an art therapist can help clients express themselves in ways beyond words or language. Art therapists are trained in art and psychological theory and can help clients integrate nonverbal cues and metaphors that are often expressed through the creative process.鈥�

Art therapists work with people of all ages, including children experiencing behavioral challenges or those with autism spectrum disorder, the AATA says. These therapists assist people and caregivers in health crises; victims of violence or other trauma, including military service members and student survivors of mass shootings; older adults with dementia; and anyone who needs help coping with life鈥檚 challenges. 

Meeting student interest

Westfall, who helped start the pre-art therapy concentration several years ago, led efforts to develop the minor. She said she heard from so many students interested in art therapy over the years that faculty felt a need to offer it.

One of those students, Rachel Tusing 鈥�25, graduated with dual majors in art and psychology and is currently enrolled in 黑料正能量鈥檚 graduate counseling program.

鈥淎rt is like a second language for me,鈥� said Tusing, who has been interested in expressive arts and art therapy since high school.

鈥淗owever, when I began researching art therapy as a career, the path to licensure and practice was not clear,鈥� she said. 鈥淢uch of that is because art therapy is still a very new modality of therapy, and the foundation for education, licensure and practice is still being laid.鈥�

She said 黑料正能量鈥檚 addition of an art therapy minor will help students like herself who are looking to harness the healing power of art in the therapy room.

鈥淭his minor declares 黑料正能量鈥檚 continuing commitment and support for the arts in all kinds of spaces, especially for those who are in need,鈥� she said. 鈥淎rt is grounding, tender and empowering, and it belongs in mental health care. I only hope that 黑料正能量 will continue to expand and enrich this program. I am extremely proud and grateful for the work that has happened to get here.鈥�

What the minor can do

Horst, former director of 黑料正能量鈥檚 graduate counseling program, said students with an art therapy minor, paired with a major in studio art, art education, or psychology, would be well-positioned for graduate study in art therapy or clinical mental health counseling. While 黑料正能量 does not currently offer a master鈥檚 degree in art therapy, students can pursue the university鈥檚 accredited master鈥檚 program in clinical mental health counseling, which includes a focus on expressive arts therapy.

A master鈥檚 degree in art therapy can lead to Art Therapist Registered (ATR) credentialing. Registered art therapists serve diverse communities in settings such as hospitals, cancer treatment centers, psychiatric facilities, retirement communities, schools, and independent practices.

The art therapy minor offers : for psychology majors (18 VACA credits required), studio art majors (16 psychology credits required), art education majors (nine psychology credits required), and a pre-art therapy concentration for students majoring outside those fields (16 psychology credits and 16 VACA credits required).

Students can declare minors at any time by submitting a minor declaration form to the university registrar. They have until the first week of classes in September to add courses for the fall semester.

For more information about the minor, email Westfall at anna.westfall@emu.edu.

Johnson’s photography of the pond and its bountiful wildlife鈥攖hink butterflies, hummingbirds, and frogs鈥攁re beautifully captured on the magazine’s cover and its glossy pages, as well as online.

Read his story and view the photos .

As a result of the project, Johnson wrote, “we went from seeing an occasional wandering toad to now having a fully functioning ecosystem.”

“For me, this is a story of hope,” he said. “Tackling the extinction crisis can seem overwhelming, but everyday folks can transform their backyards into an oasis for wildlife.”

According to an artist’s statement:
鈥淪alt & Fury鈥� is an evocative body of work that delves into the profound connection between environmental forces and psychological states, utilizing the dynamic coastline as a powerful metaphor for internal experiences of anger, grief, and transformation. This collection comprises oil paintings of fractured shorelines, envisioned not as traditional landscapes but as 鈥渋mpact zones鈥� where human emotion confronts the boundaries of language, alongside abstract color works that surrender to pure sensation, embodying affect in raw, visceral form.

Gusler presented on her artwork at a sabbatical spotlight and opening reception on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

View a photo gallery of the reception below.

Gusler holds an MFA in painting and drawing. At 黑料正能量, she shares her love of immersion into these practices with her students.

To see more of her art, visit or follow her on Instagram at .

The professor and photographer, whose colorful images of the seasonal ponds鈥攁nd the aquatic life that inhabit them鈥攈ave earned him 2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year honors and graced the cover of Nature Conservancy Magazine, has been named an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP).听

was one of 16 accomplished photographers and filmmakers selected to join the iLCP鈥檚 associate fellow program for 2025, the nonprofit recently announced in a release.听鈥淓ach of them brings exceptional skill in visual storytelling, a deep engagement with conservation initiatives and a strong dedication to advancing environmental awareness through their work,鈥� the .听

Established in 2005, iLCP supports environmental and cultural conservation through ethical photography and filmmaking. Its fellows are a group of professional wildlife, nature, and cultural visual storytellers who, 鈥渋n addition to displaying remarkable photographic and filmmaking skills, have each demonstrated a deep commitment to conservation efforts around the globe,鈥� according to its . These 120+ fellows, based in 26 countries and working in 190 countries, 鈥渟hine a light on issues ranging from endangered flora and fauna to climate change to ocean health.鈥�

For Johnson, conservation photography allows him to share the same sense of wonder he feels when encountering other creatures in the natural world. 鈥淢illions of animal and plant species coexist on Earth, but very few of these species enter our consciousness; that invisibility is a big problem when it comes to conservation,鈥� he said. 鈥淓ven in the midst of an extinction crisis, most of our news and political discourse is very human-centered. Using visual communication to advocate for the natural world is a way to challenge that narrative and look for ways to share the planet with the 鈥榤ore-than-human鈥� world.鈥�

The 黑料正能量 professor had been an affiliate for iLCP for a number of years where he served as a technical consultant and also connected 黑料正能量 students to its photographers and staff. As a fellow, he will attend the organization鈥檚 signature event, , in mid-November, which brings together conservation photographers, filmmakers, scientists, advocates, and communicators from around the globe as they share powerful stories and solutions for a sustainable future.

鈥淚t鈥檚 definitely affirming to be a part of a fellowship of passionate and committed peers in the conservation photography world,鈥� Johnson said.

Michael Horst, dean of Behavioral, Health and Natural Sciences at 黑料正能量, said Johnson鈥檚 work brings viewers face to face with the miraculous elements of the natural world that might otherwise be overlooked, creating an emotional connection that heightens the importance of protecting and conserving it.

鈥淎t 黑料正能量, we know the importance of deeply cultivating sustainable practices,鈥� Horst said. 鈥淔or those who need encouragement, Steve鈥檚 work can make a big difference.鈥�

黑料正能量 the professor

Johnson came to 黑料正能量 in 2005 and started one of the few full-semester conservation photography courses offered to undergraduates in the U.S.

He holds an MFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and serves on the advisory board of the Virginia Wildlife Committee and Girls Who Click. At 黑料正能量鈥檚 VACA department, he teaches digital media classes and a specialized course on conservation photography. When he鈥檚 not in his office, he can often be found crouched next to a vernal pool or kayaking the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.

His images of the natural world have appeared in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, National Wildlife Magazine, Nature Conservancy Magazine, Ranger Rick, Virginia Wildlife, bioGraphic, Orion, National Science Teaching Association Press books, and numerous conservation publications and journals. His long-term project exploring vernal pools was highlighted by the Southern Environmental Law Center in 鈥淭he wonder of wetlands and 5 Southerners working to protect them鈥� ().

Johnson said one of his favorite things about teaching is that 黑料正能量 and VACA allow for so much innovative, interdisciplinary practice. For example, in his conservation photography class, he teaches a mix of photography, digital media, and science students. 

鈥淚n some places, the sciences and arts barely mix,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ere, I can talk to science students about making compelling images and teach visual arts students about vernal pools.鈥�

Johnson will teach the class in conservation photography again during the fall 2026 semester.

View more of his photography at .

That鈥檚 when the former Durham, North Carolina, resident stumbled onto the annual Beaver Queen Pageant, 鈥渁 wildly campy, dam-important celebration of queer joy, eco-love, and over-the-top critter cosplay鈥� held in the city for the past two decades. The raucous, homegrown drag competition, with its blend of high drama and low stakes, proved to be the perfect subject for the filmmaker, who joined 黑料正能量鈥檚 Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) Department this year as assistant professor of digital media.

Her latest film, the heartwarming and quirky Once Upon a Wetland (2025), won 鈥淏est Documentary Short鈥� at BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival (North Carolina) in mid-September, where it competed against short films from around the world. The 15-minute documentary follows first-time contestants Madam Bitey White, a charismatic performer and trivia host, and 16-year-old Ginger Bite-Dis, the youngest competitor, as they prepare for and compete in the 2023 Beaver Queen Pageant. The film offers a playful and poignant look at how local traditions provide space for defiance, connection, and collective care during a time of looming anti-LGBTQ legislation and tightening drag restrictions.

鈥淭his is a film that highlights joy,鈥� said Miller-Derstine. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the hope we find when we gather together.鈥�

The pageant鈥檚 castorine contestants take on beaver personalities, introduce themselves in their handcrafted 鈥渨etlands-ready wear,鈥� showcase unique talents, and participate in interviews in their finest evening wear. The website notes that Beav Aldrin, the 2015 Queen, performed an aerial routine on silks, while the 2012 Queen, Furrah Gnawsett-Major, played the Star Wars theme on clarinet while hula-hooping.

The documentary was shown during a weeklong theatrical run at New York City鈥檚 Firehouse Cinema in May as part of DCTV鈥檚 鈥淩oad to the Oscars鈥� Academy-qualifying initiative, which makes it eligible for consideration and potential nomination in the Academy Awards鈥� 鈥淏est Documentary Short Film鈥� category.

It will be screened at the in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the weekend of Nov. 7, and the in Wilmington, North Carolina, the weekend of Nov. 21. Although the film isn鈥檛 currently available to watch outside of film festivals, Miller-Derstine said she鈥檚 seeking an online distributor to stream the film.

Once Upon a Wetland was directed by Miller-Derstine, produced by her and Ian Robertson Kibbe, and edited by Ace McColl.

黑料正能量 the professor

Miller-Derstine grew up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and moved to Lancaster at age nine. She graduated from Goshen College in 2016 with a BA in communication (film concentration) and English writing, and earned an MFA in documentary film from Wake Forest University in 2023.

She served as multimedia producer for Mennonite Central Committee from 2016 to 2021, and spent the past year as an adjunct professor in filmmaking at Davidson College. The Mennonite-raised filmmaker said she had 鈥渉eard through the grapevine鈥� that longtime VACA Professor Jerry Holsopple would retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year and jumped at the opportunity when the job opened. Now in her second month on 黑料正能量鈥檚 faculty, she said she鈥檚 found a welcoming community to call home. 

鈥淚 love 黑料正能量,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 fully appreciate that we have a Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and that the university鈥檚 priorities are rooted in values of community, peace, and the greater social good.鈥�

Miller-Derstine approaches all her work with a deep commitment to ethical storytelling and an awareness of the extractive history of the documentary field. She has won multiple awards for her films, including Best Director for her documentary short Welcome to the Dollhouse (2020) at both the Atlanta DocuFest and Hoosier Films Festival, and Best Documentary at the LongLeaf Film Festival for her feature documentary Bloom (2024).

From crystal-clear shots of the Milky Way above the Andes in Peru and the surreal pink-and-green glow of the Aurora Borealis at Shenandoah National Park, to a humpback whale breaching the surface of Monterey Bay and a hummingbird frozen mid-flight, the collection of photos in Fleeting offers a glimpse into the 黑料正能量 grad鈥檚 adventures around the world.

鈥淚 hope that when you look at these photos, you get to feel the same excitement that I felt to be in those places and experience those moments,鈥� said McGuigan, who graduated from the Visual And Communication Arts program with a BA in digital media and environmental sustainability. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 natural for all of us to want to capture those fleeting, beautiful moments in our lives, and I hope that鈥檚 what I鈥檝e done here.鈥�

The exhibition, which opened on Sept. 12, will remain on display until Oct. 3. The gallery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

鈥淗ow do you mark the ending of one part of your life journey, while anticipating the next,鈥� he wrote in a journal entry from that day. 

Roughly an hour after seeing his students off, he was on his bicycle pedaling toward a ferry that would begin an 1,800-kilometer (1,118-mile) journey across three countries in 22 days. Photographs from his ride along the EuroVelo 10/13 bike route, which follows the coast of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, as well as journal entries he logged during the trek, are the featured exhibition on display at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. An opening reception for Holsopple and his collection of photos, paintings and writings was held at the gallery on Friday, Feb. 21. The exhibition will remain on display through March 21.

Holsopple, who joined the 黑料正能量 faculty in 2000 (he taught the school鈥檚 first digital media classes as a part-time instructor starting in 1998), is retiring this year. His contributions to 黑料正能量 throughout the past 25 years are too numerous to name, but include the creation of the communication major within the Language and Literature Department in 2000. 

鈥淗e actually built the communications department,鈥� VACA Professor Steven Johnson said in introductory remarks at the reception. 鈥淚t eventually merged with the art department to become the present-day Visual and Communication Arts department that you all know and love. 鈥� VACA majors look to Jerry for honest feedback and wise mentoring.鈥�

Holsopple spent the 2009-2010 academic year as a Fulbright scholar at LCC International University in Klaipeda, Lithuania. His Into the Window exhibition, featuring icons he painted during his year there, was the first exhibition held at the Gehman Gallery when it opened in 2010.

The title of his latest exhibition, Finding Water, relates to the route he and his biking partner, Glyn Jones, took along the Baltic Sea coastline. 鈥淓very day we would see the water, from sandy windswept beaches to large rock boulders left by the glacier centuries ago,鈥� a journal entry states. But, it also relates to how the metaphorical river of life carries us along our journeys. 鈥淚 wanted this to be a show that鈥檚 not about remembering what I鈥檝e done for 30 years or whatever, but about embracing the mystery of what is yet to come,鈥� he shared at the reception. 鈥淎nd, what each day on a bike trip brings you that you don鈥檛 know is going to come your way.鈥�

鈥淲hy did I take this bike trip?鈥� Holsopple asked the crowd gathered at Friday鈥檚 reception. 鈥淏ecause I was looking for a way to process what it meant to say goodbye to these people. I stopped to visit people along the way that I had known all these years. It was like giving all three countries a big hug.鈥�

The exhibition features several grids of photographs, each related to a theme. One grid shows Holocaust sites in the capital city of Riga, Latvia. Another is a collection of photos of churches that he passed by on his route. A grid of coffee shops includes his favorite cafe in Estonia, Kehrweider, 鈥渨ith its underground feel, good coffee and snacks, and an attitude,鈥� he wrote in his journal. 鈥淚n the early days of bringing students on these trips, you couldn鈥檛 get a carry-out coffee anywhere. Now, coffee shops are everywhere and people carry their paper cups down the sidewalks in hordes.鈥�

Referencing a large photograph of trees along a shore, Holsopple recounted his experience capturing the moment. 鈥淚t was about 6 a.m. when we went down the hill and I saw this reflection and I jammed on my brakes,鈥� Holsopple said. 鈥淚 was not going to pass up that reflection. I鈥檓 always fascinated by reflections because I think it plays with this idea of reality and what we imagine and what we see if we really pay attention to what鈥檚 happening in life.鈥�

Finding Water also includes a pair of icons that Holsopple painted. One of them is inspired by an icon that Maria Skobtsova, a Russian poet, nun, and member of the French Resistance during World War II, was working on before she died at the Ravensbr眉ck concentration camp in Germany. Holsopple and 黑料正能量 Theater Director Justin Poole created a musical theater production based on her life聽that opens at the MainStage Theater in March. The other icon is a stylized self-portrait that he created in 2016.听

Cassidy Walker, an 黑料正能量 senior majoring in art, photography, and digital media, attends every gallery opening through her work for the VACA department, but said Holsopple鈥檚 was special to her. 

鈥淛erry鈥檚 the reason I ended up coming to 黑料正能量 in the first place,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had gotten into some big art schools, and he convinced me that I would get a great education here and that I鈥檇 get to be one of the Lithuania kids.鈥� 

Walker was part of Holsopple鈥檚 final intercultural trip to Lithuania in 2023. She spoke about his guidance in helping her figure out her goals for the future. 鈥淚 was nervous about becoming a triple-major and he鈥檚 been this person I鈥檝e been able to lean on,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 always been there for me.鈥�

Rachel Holderman 鈥�18, who graduated from 黑料正能量鈥檚 VACA department with degrees in Photography and Art, now works as a photographer for James Madison University. She took several classes taught by Holsopple and said she likes staying connected with those who helped develop her skills. At the opening reception, she said she was drawn to Holsopple鈥檚 use of reflections and unique angles. 鈥淚t鈥檚 mirrored so perfectly that it鈥檚 hard to tell where the surface is, like where reality meets reflection,鈥� she said about the photo of trees on a glassy lake.

Holsopple is an artist, photographer and renowned videographer who teaches photography and digital media-related courses in 黑料正能量鈥檚 VACA department. He has a BS degree in Bible from 黑料正能量, an MDiv from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and a PhD in Media & Communication from European Graduate School. He led undergraduate intercultural trips to the Baltics in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023.听

A 2013 trip to the country resulted in the photography exhibit and book, Traces of a Social Movement: The Baltic Way, about people who participated in a 630-kilometer-long human chain, formed in August 1989 across Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Heim鈥檚 work focuses on the ways human-influenced environmental change impacts wildlife. Her series of photographs capturing the struggle between two rival owl species earned her last fall. She was named a this year.

She will present at a Suter Science Seminar on Friday from 10:15-11:15 a.m. in Suter Science Center 106. Her presentation, 鈥淲ild Heart: Bringing Empathy and Grace to Environmental Storytelling,鈥� will teach audience members how to tap into their curiosity and creative processes and unlock new ways of seeing the world.

Later that day, at 4 p.m., Heim will host an opening reception for an exhibition featuring her photography at the Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery. The exhibition will run through Friday, Oct. 4.

Both events are free to attend and open to the public. Please see the campus map for parking information.

Heim used infrared techniques to photograph at night and limit disturbing the nocturnal owls. Her evocative images capture the last-ditch efforts being made by conservationists to try to save the northern spotted owl from extinction. One of those efforts includes the , which are outcompeting the spotted owl for habitat and resources. 

鈥淭his story poses a question with no easy answer: When is it acceptable to kill one wild species to try to save another?鈥� Heim asks in her portfolio, 鈥淎n Owl for an Owl.鈥�

This won鈥檛 be the first time that students in 黑料正能量鈥檚 Visual And Communication Arts (VACA) program have seen Heim鈥檚 photography.

VACA Professor Steven Johnson has known Heim for nearly a decade and frequently showcases her work as an example of powerful environmental storytelling.

鈥淢organ鈥檚 photography is authentic, compassionate and engaging,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 really at the top of her game, and her work aligns perfectly with 黑料正能量鈥檚 commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.鈥�

Heim, who lives in Astoria, Oregon, is the founder of , a storytelling and strategy platform for conservation. In 2020, she co-launched , which is aimed at raising the voices of diverse women in the craft of conservation visual storytelling. She is a Senior Fellow with the , and her work has appeared in National Geographic, Audubon, Smithsonian and The New York Times. She has been recognized in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Siena International Photo Awards and the Big Picture Natural World Photo Competitions.

For girls into soccer:

Nike Girls Soccer Camp

For: Girls ages 5 to 13
Date: Monday, June 10, to Friday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Fee: $215
More info:
This camp offers a unique and engaging environment where girls ages 5 to 13 can have fun learning new skills, perfecting techniques, increasing their knowledge of the game and making new friends. Royals Head Women鈥檚 Soccer Coach Anna Hardin and her staff lead a curriculum blending traditional and modern coaching methods to help every camper progress to a higher level of soccer play.

For children interested in theatre:

Summer Musical Theatre

Students develop their skills in acting, singing and dancing in a supportive environment of highly-skilled, award-winning professionals and college faculty. 黑料正能量 Theatre Program Director Justin Poole and resident choreographer Ellie de Waal lead two three-week musical theatre intensives, each culminating in public performances of a major musical production. More info at emu.edu/summer-musical-theatre.

Junior Program
For: Rising 4th-8th graders
Date: Monday, June 24, to Saturday, July 13. Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Final shows on Friday, July 12, and Saturday, July 13, at 7 p.m.
Fee: $1,000 includes three weeks of instruction and rehearsal and two public performances
Deadline to register: June 14
Students explore the world of musical theatre and perform two musical revue shows in this three-week program. Auditions are not required.

Senior Program
For: Rising 9th-2024 high school graduates
Date: Monday, July 22, to Sunday, Aug. 11. Mondays to Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Final shows on Friday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 10, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 11, at 2 p.m.
Fee: $1,200 includes full days of instruction and rehearsal as well as three public performances
Deadline to register: July 12
Students can choose between a dedicated three-week performance track or technical theatre track, culminating in the presentation of Seussical the Musical in the MainStage Theatre. Students in the performance track will engage in all morning classes and rehearsals and perform on stage. Those in the technical theatre track will engage in all morning classes and work with the costume designer, technical director, stage management team and others to support the production in all technical areas.

For children who like the visual arts:

Summer Art Academy

For: Ages 8-11
Date: Monday, June 17, to Friday, June 21 (first week); Monday, June 24, to Friday, June 28 (second week). Classes for both weeks are held from 9 a.m. to noon.
Fee: $180 per week of classes
More info: emu.edu/summer-art-academy
Cyndi Gusler, professor of visual arts at 黑料正能量, leads small classes for children as they explore the world of drawing and painting. Students in the Amazing Animals and Beautiful Botanicals class (first week) hike a trail, collect sketches on a nature walk and use that inspiration to make paintings and drawings full of vibrant color. Students in the Acrylic and Watercolor Painting class (second week) will improve their painting technique, build their artistic imagination and learn to paint from life in 黑料正能量鈥檚 art studio and outside on its beautiful campus.

For children who are science-minded:

Solar Solutionary Camp

For: Rising 8th-12th graders
Date: Monday, June 10, to Friday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $250
More info: emu.edu/graduate/continuing-and-professional-education/solar-solutionary-camp
Campers will take field trips to local solar facilities and learn about solar energy as they build and deploy a to Africa for those without access to electricity. Students will gain a better understanding of the problems surrounding energy access and the threat of climate change. They will be divided into teams 鈥� assembly engineers, quality control engineers, reporters, community relations, and artists 鈥� and each team will have a set of tasks essential to the deployment of the solar suitcase.

Solar Solutionary Camp is in collaboration with the JMU Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy. 

A black mass appears to swallow up one corner of the gallery, surrounded by a galaxy of orbs the color of coal. Each of these orbs is covered in a unique texture. Some of them resemble cells in the midst of splitting apart. A few look like sunflower heads, pieces of coral or jellyfish. Others take on the appearance of an alien lifeform, covered in lumps and bumps or dimples and craters.

The orbs snake their way along the walls of the gallery and stretch out across its floor, inviting visitors to step through the installation and examine it from every angle. An array of lights bathes the ceramic art pieces in red, orange, yellow and green hues.

The mixed-media installation, titled In Entropy, is the work of Anna Westfall, associate professor of visual and communication arts (VaCA) at 黑料正能量. She created the pieces mostly from clay and bicycle tires to “provide the viewer with a multisensory experience through an altered space,” an artist statement reads.

Westfall hosted an opening reception for her exhibition at the gallery at 4 p.m. on Friday. 黑料正能量 50 people braved that morning鈥檚 snowfall to attend the reception, which included an introduction from her about the installation and the process in creating it.

She said she was inspired by looking at images of cells. As the COVID-19 pandemic arrived and cast the world into uncertainty, she wanted to explore the feelings of disorder and distress that many people felt.

Her statement reads: “The instinct to find order and stability in chaos, as an attempt to gain a sense of peace and control, often brings conflicting outcomes of serenity and anxiety. This installation explores how these experiences influence perceptions of life and challenges found in the mutable nature of existence.”  

In Entropy will be available to view at the Margaret Martin Gehman gallery until Friday, Feb. 16. Westfall will present a university colloquium about her installation and the process in creating it on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 4 p.m. in Suter Science Center 106.

Westfall received her bachelor鈥檚 of fine arts from James Madison University and her master鈥檚 of fine arts from the University of New Mexico, both of which were in ceramic and sculpture.

In early October, the conservation photographer traveled to London for an awards ceremony honoring him among The annual competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum, selected his photo 鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� and 99 others for inclusion in the exhibition. A jury of nature photography experts picked the 100 winning images out of 49,957 entries from photographers in 95 countries.

That means Johnson鈥檚 photo was part of only 0.2 percent of submissions to receive the coveted award. It鈥檚 not hard to see why the contest has been described as 鈥渙ne of the most prestigious in world photography鈥� ().

Johnson networked with skilled photographers from around the world, including some up-and-coming talents in the youth category, at the ceremony. He and his wife, Anna Maria, explored the museum and admired the other winning photos.

When he returned home from the trip, he searched online to see which news outlets had covered the event. It was then he saw that among their 13 favorites from the competition. 

鈥楽omething a little special鈥�

鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� captures a cluster of spotted salamander eggs nestled on a bed of sphagnum moss just under the surface of a vernal pool in Augusta County, Virginia. 

Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that form from seasonal rains and snowmelt, Johnson writes on his . In late winter and early spring, the pools host breeding events for amphibians and macroinvertebrates. The pools are ideal nurseries for salamanders because they鈥檙e safe from predators such as fish.

鈥淎s a conservation photographer, I鈥檓 drawn to the intricate dance of underwater life in Appalachian Mountain forests and nearby lowlands,鈥� he states on his website.

Johnson, professor and program director for the visual and communication arts (VaCA) department, created the photo in March 2020 during a sabbatical. Taking good pictures of vernal pools requires being there at the right time and a lot of searching, he said. The vernal pool featured in 鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� is on land owned by a friend who serves with him on the Virginia Wilderness Committee.

Johnson used a camera rig capable of being submerged underwater to capture the split between the sparse brush seen above the surface and the lush vegetation below. 

鈥淭he light was beautiful, and it鈥檚 really just a few inches of water, so I鈥檓 just kind of crouched by the side slowly lowering my camera in to try to not disturb the sediment around it,鈥� he said, recalling the moment he took the photo. 

鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� graced the cover of the summer 2021 issue of Nature Conservancy magazine. Johnson has previously likened the sunlight filtering through the eggs in the picture, and the delicate shades of blue and green, to 鈥渁n aquatic Vermeer painting鈥� (黑料正能量 News). 

He entered the wildlife photography contest for his first time this year after some encouragement from friends in the field.

鈥淭his one always felt like it had something a little special to it,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think the sort of symmetry, the color, it all felt like something had come together in that image.鈥�

Johnson, who authored an with featured essays by vernal pools expert Michael Hayslett, said part of his mission as a conservation photographer is to highlight the threat that development and climate change pose to the underwater worlds.

Less predictable spring rains are causing pools to dry up before the young salamanders can fully develop and live on land. 

鈥淸Hayslett] has told me that living here for decades, there used to be one big night where you could predict all the spotted salamanders would come out and migrate, and now that鈥檚 become very fragmented to much smaller events,鈥� he said. 

Where art meets science 

When he鈥檚 not crouching by the side of a vernal pool in his waders, Johnson is teaching the next generation of photographers and visual artists.

In addition to conservation photography, his courses include advanced Photoshop, web design and social media. Johnson said the VaCA program teaches students about different forms of storytelling, from web and video production to animation and photography, and even painted murals.

鈥淪tudents really get that full scope,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 think that is what makes them so marketable. They know how to do a whole bunch of things and do them well.鈥�

鈥�19 is putting the skills he learned from those classes to good use as media producer at Gravity Group, a Harrisonburg-based brand and marketing consultancy. He said the class in conservation photography instilled in him a love for nature photography. It not only taught him technical skills, but also how to be more intentional with the stories he tells.

Swartzendruber described 鈥淧ool of Wonder鈥� as visually stunning.

鈥淚t truly brings me to an entirely different world just looking at it,鈥� he said.

鈥淗e鈥檚 doing something that I鈥檝e genuinely never seen before with the knowledge he has.鈥�

Johnson is now in his 19th year at 黑料正能量. He said one unique strength for the VaCA program is the wealth of places to photograph nature near campus, such as the 1.6 million acre . The cameras they use in their courses, even at the introductory level, are the same ones he uses professionally, he added.

He welcomes students approaching his visual and communication arts classes from a background in environmental science and biology.

鈥淚f they love the world of nature, the environment and also want to communicate about that, we have two dedicated courses right now they can develop those skills and find faculty who are passionate about that intersection,鈥� Johnson said.

One new class he鈥檒l be co-teaching in the spring with Professor Steve Cessna is Communication and the Environment. The class will teach students how scientists and advocacy nonprofits communicate about science and the environment, what kinds of strategies they use and will give students a chance to try it themselves.

Professor Tara Kishbaugh, dean of 黑料正能量鈥檚 School of Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Nursing, said Johnson exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education in reflecting the importance of communication skills and multidisciplinary work.

“Steven’s focus on communication of conservation needs aligns well with our science programs, particularly those in environmental science, and is one of many reasons why I am happy to have the arts within my school,” Kishbaugh said. “黑料正能量 students, both within and outside the arts programs, can benefit from Steven’s expertise and his thoughtful way of living out his values in his teaching and his art.”

Professor Steven David Johnson, conservation photographer, partnered with production company and writer-director Michael Oates on a new nature documentary 鈥淲etlands of Wonder: The Hidden World of Vernal Pools.鈥� The documentary is funded by the with assistance from the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The 54-minute program features the annual life cycle of vernal pools 鈥� unique, isolated wetland ecosystems that usually emerge in shallow depressions in the ground around forests, seasonally-flooded woodlands or floodplains.

The film began airing last month on .

Johnson鈥檚 video and images 鈥渁dd both visual beauty and a deeper ecological understanding鈥� to the film, Oates said.

He reached out after seeing Johnson鈥檚 work on the Nature Conservancy website. The Nature Conservancy also featured Johnson鈥檚 photos on the cover and in a feature article in the Summer 2021 issue. The feature content and cover design later won . 

Johnson focuses on vernal pools of Appalachia. For more on his work, visit .

Oates said he most appreciated how Johnson鈥檚 footage captures the vernal pools as an intensely competitive environment. 鈥淎ll of us know of the lions, leopards, and hyenas that predate the animals of the African plains, but few of us realize that similar predators, with equally large appetites, exist in these small pools. Steve’s footage captures that and does so in a way that viewers can relate to.鈥�

The documentary provides up-close views as well as rare underwater footage of the daily behavior of species that inhabit vernal pools, including the striking Eastern tiger salamander, a state endangered species in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. 

Additional production partners for the film include the Delaware Forest Service, University of Delaware, Delaware Nature Society, 黑料正能量 and Virginia Vernal Pools, LLC.

Ten 黑料正能量 students are gaining professional experience this fall at the Washington Community Scholars鈥� Center (WCSC). They represent nine different majors, showing the range of placement possibilities available through the program. The diversity includes four computer science majors (with two also double majoring in math), two history and social science majors, one social work major, one liberal arts major, one digital media major, and one peacebuilding and development major.

The center, located in the nation鈥檚 capital since 1976, is a program of 黑料正能量.

The semester-long experience is also a community-building endeavor, with students living together in the Nelson Good House in the Brookland neighborhood of Northeast Washington, DC. This semester鈥檚 placements include several organizations that are long-time hosts of 黑料正能量 students, highlighting WCSC鈥檚 deep ties within the region. Many alumni can trace their careers back to a pivotal experience at WCSC. 

Read more about WCSC success! Nursing major Ashlyn Eby talks about personal growth and learning from her internship. Grads Tessa Waidelich and Terry Jones find full-time work after their internships.

Read on to learn more about the students, their placements and the organizations they are involved with. 

Zyeasha Ba, a peace and development major from Stafford, Virginia, is with the peace education program . She helps to lead discussions about conflict resolution with elementary school age children and men experiencing homelessness.

Seth Andreas, a math and computer science major from Bluffton, Ohio, is doing a variety of tasks at , from scripting to 3D modeling, in the realm of virtual reality game development.

KC Argueta-Rivas, a social work major from Springfield, Virginia, works with case managers at providing legal services and social services to clients.

Cor鈥橲hauna Cunningham, a liberal arts major and psychology minor from Brooklyn, New York, is with , an addiction treatment center.

Mykenzie Davis, a digital media and communications major from Lititz, Pennsylvania, is with , where she is filming and editing videos for clients and enhancing her portfolio for post-graduation job search.

Natalia Hernandez, a computer science major from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, is with , where she is implementing malware detection software. She was recently offered a position as a service desk engineer at the same organization.

Anya Kauffman, a history and social science major from Goshen, Indiana, is interning at the criminal defense law firm, . 鈥淚 help two legal assistants with tasks including requesting accident reports from the police department, scheduling hearings at the DMV, checking for court dates or case numbers. I think the most significant learning experience will be working in a fast-paced law firm, understanding the ins and outs of a criminal defense firm, and learning the process of a criminal legal case.鈥�

Tace Martin, a history and social science major from Eugene, Oregon, is with . The site was one of the first public schools for African American children in the United States, and currently houses a museum, a research room, art exhibits, and the archives of the District of Columbia Public Schools. He is documenting and rehousing collections related to the school itself, as well as 鈥減ulling collections for upcoming scholarly visits.鈥� Martin is also contributing to the site鈥檚 draft application to be listed on the National Park Service Register of Historic Places.

Joey Sun, a computer science major from Shenyang, China, is with the . His role consists of providing technical support to all Smithsonian employees regarding verification issues, technology assistance, and moderating access to special documents. He is learning to navigate the user interface and software the OCIO uses to support the entire Smithsonian network.

Noah Swartzentruber, a math and computer science major from Lancaster, Pa., is working on projects for the Smithsonian National Zoo’s website and collaborating on a web-based tool for zookeeping staff.

Summer 2022 placements included:

• A physical therapy practice
• Mennonite Central Committee’s National Justice and Peace Ministries office 
• Community of Hope, a community health clinic that provides quality healthcare and housing to families 
• Covenant House, an organization that provides educational programs, job training and placement, medical services, mental health and substance use counseling, legal aid and beyond to homeless youth
• St. Anthony Catholic School, gaining experience working with children and observing different teaching styles
• Washington Digital Media, making business cards and several other templates.
• Bread for the City鈥檚 primary care clinic in a Spanish-language setting
• Anacostia Watershed Society with their adult education classes, tree surveying, invasive species removal, wetland planting, and boat tours on the Anacostia River
• Keegan Theater
• Girls on the Run DC
• Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, which fosters just and equitable community development solutions that address the needs and aspirations of low- and moderate-income district residents.

Jamie Reich, WCSC鈥檚 associate director of communications and retention, contributed to this article.