The Maryland Institute College of Art’s Bicentennial Mural

Spring 2026

A collaborative response to the Maryland Mural for the Fete of Lights by Simone Isip, Ian Min, Loulie Rossmassler, Cedar Clark, and Aidan Leizerov. The Fete of Lights was an event held in February 2026 by the Maryland Institute College of Art in celebration of its bicentennial year. The Maryland Mural was installed in the school’s Main Building as the centerpiece of the centennial celebration. Revisiting the mural 100 years later provided a space to rekon with both the history of the school and the Fete of Lights, and represent the current student body. Not captured is a live projection and reciting of the following:

“From 1825 to 1954, the Maryland Institute College of Art adopted a whites-only policy

This is Reflected in the Fete of Lights

For the bicentennial, we embody MICA’s increasing diversity with acknowledgement to its past.”

Performed by Simone Isip, Ian Min Cedar Clark, Aidan Leizerov, Martin Knuppel, Cate Van Luven, and Clara Kuehnel. Documentation photos taken by Nuo Chen and Loulie Rossmassler with additional modeling help from Artie Saintaro and Ian Min.