Now in its fifth year, the Harvard Staff Art Show highlights the work of hundreds of staff members across the university who have dedicated themselves to creative pursuits outside of their day jobs. Painters, fiber artists, musicians, woodworkers and so many more have been featured each year, each sharing their work both in an online gallery and at in-person exhibitions held on campus throughout the semester.
This year, 264 artists responded to the university-wide call for submissions, including 10 members of the Harvard Law School staff.
On Feb. 12, staff from across the university gathered to celebrate the launch of this year’s virtual gallery and hear from selected artists. Throughout the spring, the work of a number of artists will also be on display at in-person campus events, with shows at Allston’s Harvard Ed Portal Crossings Gallery (Feb. 27-April 3), Cambridge’s Smith Campus Center (March 17-April 4), and Longwood’s Countway Library (March 10-June 20).
Harvard Law Today reached out to the participating artists from Harvard Law School to learn more about their work, and to hear what led them to their preferred medium and the Harvard Staff Art Show.
Yuan (Alexandra) Xiang
How long have you worked at HLS?
I first joined HLS as a student worker in Spring 2023 and returned as a full-time employee in March 2024. So, in total, I have been at HLS for about over a year now. I work as a program administrator in the Office of Community Engagement, Equity, and Belonging, where I support student journals and manage student organization websites.
How long have you been creating art?
I have enjoyed doodling since I was a kid — so if I count my childhood self as an artist, I would say over 20 years! My primary medium is digital art, created on my iPad using Procreate. I originally got an iPad for note-taking in college, but I soon discovered its incredible potential for creating art. Since I move frequently, digital art allows me to preserve my work without worrying about physical storage.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I first discovered it as a student in 2022/23! I remember visiting the Harvard Art Museums and stumbling upon the Staff Art Show. I was amazed by the incredible variety of artwork and found it inspiring to see so many talented individuals sharing their creativity, even if art was not their full-time profession.
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
Not really! I try to incorporate creativity into my daily work, especially in community-building activities. But participating in the show has helped me connect with many coworkers who are also artists, which has been an amazing experience.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I grew up in a household where I was constantly told that I needed to pursue STEM to have a stable career. Because of that, creating art always felt like a hidden dream — something I tried to suppress over the years.
Coincidentally, during college, I had the opportunity to work with an international group of art students who took classes in New York City. My job was to help coordinate the program, and while I was there, the professor invited me to join their classes. At first, I was incredibly nervous — I had never taken formal art classes before and worried that my work would not be good enough. But to my surprise, the students and professors were so welcoming. They complimented my work, gave me advice, and encouraged me to keep creating. That was a powerful moment for me — the first time I had ever received real encouragement to pursue art.
Later, when I saw the Staff Art Show, I was deeply moved and amazed. It was inspiring to see that people could still embrace their creativity and express themselves through art, even if they were not full-time professional artists. That experience reminded me that art does not have to be a career to be meaningful — it can simply be a part of who we are.
Ellen Shapiro-Smith
How long have you worked at HLS?
This is my 9th year. I am the program coordinator for the First Year Legal Research and Writing Program (my 4th year in this position.) The prior 5 years, I was a faculty assistant here at the law school.
What led you to your primary medium?
I’ve been creating art since I was a little girl. I’m not sure what exactly inspired me to make things, but it has something to do with expressing myself as different from everyone else. My mother sewed clothing for all of our family, and she taught me how when I was old enough. That drew me because I could be a non-conformist by designing my own clothes and choosing unique fabrics. Living in a small farm town, I was starving for anything avant-garde. My dad had a wood shop in the basement, and he often involved me in his projects to help or to teach me how to use the tools safely. So I guess it started with fabric and I collected mediums along the way.
I wanted to go to art school, but I was strongly encouraged to get a liberal arts degree which I did so I wouldn’t be a “starving artist.”
While employed at my first job out of college, I went to art school at night at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Those classes changed my life. I credit the SMFA for my ability to make art out of anything and everything. I have a certain kind of tenacity when it comes to making things so any medium is the right medium. I mix and match until it’s what I want.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I think from an email and then I asked around to see if anyone else was submitting work. It’s another way for me to get out there and make friends at the different Harvard schools. It’s a good ice breaker to ask people about their art.
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
I don’t think so. I think my personality shows it a bit. I like to think that! Who knows!
Anything else you’d like to share?
I have a basement full of musings that I would love to show. I would be interested in participating in this kind of event more than once a year.
Alyssa Lary
How long have you worked at HLS?
I’ve worked at HLS for almost 19 years in Faculty Support. I started soon after graduating law school.
What led you to your primary medium?
I’ve always loved photography. Even as a child. I was always taking pictures. That lead to me studying photography in high school and university, where I spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy for photography. I graduated with a minor in art/photography and worked as a professional photographer for a few years. Rarely a day goes by without some snaps! There is so much beauty all around us, especially in nature, everyday.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I found out about the staff art show a couple years ago and submitted photos. I love the opportunity not only as an outlet to share, but seeing so much creativity around me is so inspiring! I’m so grateful to be in such talented company.
Jean-Paul Alexandre
How long have you worked at HLS?
I will have been working at HLS for two years and eight months at the end of February. I work in ITS, providing technical and audiovisual support for the HLS community.
How long have you been creating art?
I have been creating art since I was child. However, it was always in the mix with my time spent in sports and music. In 2014, I began creating art with more focus and consistency as I was building a portfolio to get into art school. With that in mind, the answer to me sometimes feels more distinctly like eleven years. I was mostly doing drawings in pencil at first and eventually my dad really encouraged me to start painting. I enjoyed the versatility of acrylic and from then on it has become my primary medium.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I learned about the Staff Art show in conversation about my art with one of my colleagues.
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
I recall more general intrigue than surprise, especially when they learned I graduated from art school and studied painting.
Anything else you’d like to share?
It is exciting to see how much of the staff at Harvard maintain their artistic practice while working a day job! It’s not an easy thing to do. Since graduating from Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 2020, I have been learning to navigate my time and resources so that I can create. In August of 2022, I was fortunate enough find and afford the rent to my first studio space, outside of school or home, which I still have. My website is jpsuhsteyened.com for more information and images of my work!
Madison Faraut
How long have you worked at HLS?
I’ve been working at HLS for just under three years. I’m currently the Registration and Exam Administrator in the Office of the Registrar.
What led you to your primary medium?
I grew up in a very ‘artsy’ family, but I only really started using colored pencils about three years ago when I moved here. I really only like doing drawings of portraits, and I love the flexibility that colored pencils offer for that.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I saw a flier on a bulletin board in the building that I work in. My friend saw it too and encouraged me to submit something. This is my third year submitting something to the show, and I find it’s a great way to motivate me to complete something by having a yearly deadline like this.
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
I’m not sure if they were surprised or not, but they’re always super supportive and encouraging. I work with a really excellent team of people.
Eve Radovsky
How long have you worked at HLS?
I’ve worked at HLS since October 2024, and I am a faculty assistant for (currently) two full time faculty members.
How long have you been creating art?
I’ve enjoyed creating art (or craft) in some form since I was a kid. I used to draw a lot, from elementary school through high school. I’ve dabbled a little bit in ceramics, printmaking, painting, mixed media art, etc. In 2010, I learned to knit through classes at Gather Here in Cambridge, and I immediately loved it. I had actually tried to learn in high school and was terrible at it, but after the classes at Gather Here, something clicked. I go through phases with knitting—sometimes I do it nonstop, and then I can go for many months without picking up a project. I also love to bake, which I think you could call a craft, but I stick to pretty simple recipes.
Woodworking was previously something I was extremely intrigued by but had never done. I’ve always appreciated and noticed furniture design (my mom’s parents had a lot of beautiful Shaker and midcentury wooden furniture that I admired while growing up), and I enjoy working with my hands, so I took some woodworking classes in 2018 and got hooked. After a few months of consideration, I enrolled in the Cabinet and Furniture Making program at the North Bennet Street School in Boston, and I graduated in 2020. It was an amazing experience, and I feel lucky to have done it. I came to the conclusion after school that this was not something I was going to pursue as a career. I don’t currently have use of a wood shop, and I haven’t done any woodworking for a few years, but I hope to get back into it at some point!
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I believe it was through an all-staff email.
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
I don’t think most of my coworkers know about my creative pursuits, but one of the faculty members I support is also a woodworker, so he enjoyed hearing about that.
Tracy Blanchard
How long have you worked at HLS?
I’m the program coordinator at the Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program and the Dispute Systems Design Clinic. I’ve been at HLS for 15 years and at the University for 24.
How long have you been creating art?
I started college as an art major but just didn’t have the necessary self-confidence in my 20s to be in the program so I switched to English and stopped creating visually for a long, long time. I came back to it in my mid-40s with the rise of art journaling, a low stakes and happy way to create. I connected with embroidery during the pandemic and it really got me through. I dove deep because I knew that in fiber, I’d found my medium.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I think I got involved in the second year of the show and only showed my work online. I can’t remember how I initially heard about it, but I was thrilled by the idea of something specifically for the amazing staff at this University. One of the highlights of 2023, as we all started coming out of our shells again, was helping to bring an in-person gallery for the HSAS to the HLS campus — the memory of that opening reception still gives me all the feels. I love the camaraderie of this show, a place for Harvard staff to really bring their whole selves.
Caryn Shelton-May
How long have you worked at HLS?
17 years
How long have you been creating art?
I’ve been singing since childhood and playing guitar for about seven years. I think performing was a way to be seen and heard as the youngest in my family of origin. As I’ve grown, I more so sing for my own expression of energy, both up and down. It’s a way to move in it and get it out. I credit my nephew for introducing me to playing guitar. He taught me a chord during his rockstar-themed birthday party. His childhood innocence made it fun and accessible, and my interest was piqued! The reason I became a little more serious about learning to play feels a bit less virtuous and better shared in person!
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
It was in 2023, but now, I don’t quite remember how I learned about it, unfortunately! Maybe just an email!
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
I think some are, but many others know about this part of my life.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Caralie (the duo I am in with my percussion-playing wife, Natalie Shelton-May) will be playing a few songs at the Art Show Reception at the Smith Center on March 19th!
Haesel Charlesworth
How long have you worked at HLS? What’s your “day job”?
I’m a Facilities Manager, which means I care deeply about buildings — especially old ones. The older, the better. There was a time when every aspect of a structure was crafted by human hands. The best lumber was selected, felled, and cured. The stone was carefully cut — stone has sap, a grain, a bedding plane. The glass was blown with the breath of the glassblower. Old buildings are poetry.
New buildings — well, there they are. Big rectangles.
But every use of the earth’s resources should be treated with dignity. (So, please, don’t put nail holes in your dorm room walls!) Every building has a presence, and the systems within it are its essence — its chi. The most sacred altar in Rome wasn’t dedicated to Mercury or Jupiter, but to Vesta, goddess of the hearth and home. Every building is shelter, and every building has a soul. Facilities work may seem mundane, but it’s not.
How long have you been creating art?
I don’t know about “Art” with a big “A.” Most art is just a commodity, a speculative asset. Art is not a mirror for you — it is a projection outward. Sometimes this is magnificent, and sometimes it is trite and kind of silly. I think of what Rilke said, “Every angel is terrible.” There is something in creation that is both awe-inspiring and unbearable, where what we make stands apart from us, no longer ours, demanding to be reckoned with.
I studied historic preservation and studio arts at the Art Institute of Chicago, and I firmly believe everyone should go to art school — it was the most valuable training I ever received. (or can imagine receiving)
We were taught to move beyond comfort, to let go of being “precious” with our ideas. You are the wellspring of ideas. No one can diminish your ability to make new ones or shift the prism through which you see the world. If your ideas don’t evolve — or if you cling to them they are just a dogma and you will ossify. Who wants to be an old dried carcass?
To me, art isn’t about making things — it’s a way of thinking. It’s shedding fear of the outcome. I’ve worked in many media. As a young person, I worked in ceramics, but it requires a lot of kit. I did portraits for a long time, then switched to landscapes. I believe we are part of the earth, the natural world. We do not stand apart from it in any way. Our bodies are designed to perceive the environment of the earth — our senses are just tools for inhabiting and appreciating nature. So what else is there, really?
Sometimes I use oil paint, sometimes other paints — paint is portable. I’ve also worked in fiber arts, food, words, cabinetry — whatever I’m into at the time. I’m always changing or circling back.
How did you first learn about the Staff Art Show?
I saw a poster for it. And I need a deadline to finish things — so I thought, “Let’s make something for that.”
Were your coworkers surprised to find out you had a “hidden talent”?
No. They already know I’m slightly mad, so I doubt they were surprised.
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