absolute alternatives, the 2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition | Opening Reception

The Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture presents absolute alternatives, the 2026 Arts+ UMBC Faculty Exhibition, on display from January 30 to February 28. Organized by guest curator Maleke Glee, absolute alternatives presents faculty from across UMBC whose interdisciplinary research is a form of creative practice, including Jude Agboada, Fiona Bell, Kelley Bell and the Cheeky Magpie Collective, Lynn Cazabon, Lisa Cella, Mayank Chugh, Cathy Cook, Arit Emmanuela Etukudo, Eva Grandoni, Tahira Chloe Mahdi, Phillip Mann, Steven McAlpine, Lisa Moren, Edgar Reyes, Julie Sayo, Sarah G. Sharp, and Airi Yoshioka.

Inspired by the boundary-pushing spirit of the Arts+ Initiative, the exhibition proposes alternatives to defining research through absolute disciplinary categories. According to Glee:

These scholar-artists meet the present moment directly with innovative tools, materials, and methods that explore, upend or resolve unsatisfactory conditions. Here, creativity means intervening, excavating, and expanding the possibilities of practice and production inside the classroom, studio, laboratory, and beyond. These projects demonstrate what can happen when research and imagination work hand in hand, highlighting individual creative curiosities as well as collaborations connecting the University, the broader Baltimore community, and global networks.

absolute alternatives brings together faculty from across the university, as well as their UMBC student, staff, and outside collaborators, with offerings from Visual Arts, Music, Biology, the Individualized Study Program, and other disciplines.

Featuring “Dream Feed,” composed by Zosha Di Castri, performed by Lisa Cella and Airi Yoshioka
Opening remarks and performance will begin at 6:10pm
“Dream Feed” takes its title from evening infant feeding practices, often occurring between 10:00 p.m. and midnight, intended to support a baby’s peaceful rest through the night. The composition draws poetic resonance from this intimate, cyclical act of care. In the context of interdisciplinary work, ‘Dream Feed’ brings forward roles that often remain invisible within creative and professional spheres, such as parenthood, inviting them into artistic discourse.
As a composer/pianist, I see motherhood as one of the final ‘taboos’ in the professional music world, with women often still believing they must choose between family and career, or keep quiet about their desire for both. Though having a child alters one’s life irreversibly and may create logistical challenges, it can also be a profoundly creative experience, encouraging new ways of thinking and doing.
— Zosha Di Castri
This event is supported by UMBC’s Division of Research and Creative Achievement (ORCA)
Participating Artists: Jude Agboada, Fiona Bell, Kelley Bell and Cheeky Magpie Collective, Lee Boot, Lynn Cazabon, Lisa Cella, Mayank Chugh, Cathy Cook, Arit Emmanuela Etukudo, Eva Grandoni, Tahira Chloe Mahdi, Phillip Mann, Steven McAlpine, Lisa Moren, Edgar Reyes, Julie Sayo, Sarah G. Sharp, Airi Yoshioka

Visitor Information

Admission to the exhibition and all public programs is free. The CADVC is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parking is free during evening and weekend hours, and metered parking is available other times. Please visit here for directions and parking information.

Visitors who need any specific accommodations should contact CADVC at [email protected] or 410-455-3188 as soon as possible.