Dyer Arts Center Newsletter

December 2025

Hello, friends.

It’s been a while since you last heard from the Dyer Arts Center, and we’re excited to reconnect with you! The past year has been full of changes, growth, and creativity, and we’re thrilled to share some updates with you.

Since June 2025, the Dyer Arts Center has had a full team, and we’re so excited for what the future holds!

(From left to right: Lauren Eddy, Amara Engel, and Marissa Woodruff)

Lauren Eddy – Coordinator of Exhibitions and Collections
Lauren Eddy is completing her Master of Arts degree in Art and Visual History at Lindenwood University. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Nazareth University (’23) and an associate degree in education from Genesee Community College (’21). Some of her favorite artists include Perle Fine and Hilma af Klint. Outside of work, Eddy loves painting, reading, and spending time with her daughters.

Amara Engel – Assistant Director
Amara Engel holds an associate’s degree in liberal arts, a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, and a master’s degree in Secondary Education for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing – all from RIT/NTID. She has a deep appreciation for the arts, with favorite artists that include Georgia O’Keeffe and Michelangelo. A fun fact: Engel loves to travel and makes it a point to visit museums wherever she goes.

Marissa Woodruff – Director
Marissa Woodruff has earned three degrees from RIT/NTID— associate, bachelor’s and, most recently, a master’s degree in business administration. She has long been involved with the Dyer Arts Center, helping with exhibitions and events before becoming director. She draws inspiration from Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing artists, whose work resonates deeply with her experiences. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, family time, and exploring new places.

Over the past year, the Dyer Arts Center has hosted three exhibitions:

NTID Performing Arts: 50 Years
This exhibition highlighted the rich history of the NTID Drama Club, Experience Experiment Theatre, RIT Dance Company, Sunshine Too, and more. Visitors enjoyed costumes, props, lighting, posters, and memorabilia celebrating half a century of Deaf performing arts.

The ART of Book Making: Surdists United Illustrated Children’s Publications
This exhibition celebrated Surdists United’s children’s books that uplift Deaf stories and creatives. Visitors explored drafts, sketches, and finished artworks by Deaf illustrators such as Vicki Campos-Hamilton, Laurie Monahan, and Yusuf Yahya, alongside ASL poem videos and work by writers Patti Durr and Karen Christie.

The Merkin Collection Unveiled
From February to May 2025, this exhibition honored Lewis M. Merkin (1955–2022)—an actor, artist, advocate, and Deaf interpreter. The collection showcased works amplifying the voices of Deaf, disabled, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities, many of which were displayed publicly for the first time.

Dyer Arts Center hosted a closing reception for two exhibitions “Background Noise: Reframing Perception” and “A Fearless Trailblazer: Dr. Robert F. Panara” on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Background Noise: Reframing Perception
Deaf and queer artist Justin Dougan-LeBlanc presented an expanded version of his acclaimed Background Noise. Through sculpture, textiles, fashion, and video, he transforms lived experiences of deafness and queerness into powerful works of resilience and identity. This exhibition invited audiences to rethink societal perceptions of difference and embrace what some call “background noise” as the sound of truth.

A Fearless Trailblazer: Dr. Robert F. Panara
This exhibition celebrated Robert F. Panara, RIT/NTID’s first Deaf faculty member and co-founder of the National Theatre of the Deaf. A pioneer in Deaf education and culture, Panara shaped generations through his teaching, literature, and theater work. His legacy continues to inspire inclusivity, representation, and a deeper understanding of Deaf contributions to the arts.

The closing reception gave audiences the opportunity to view the artwork one last time. Guests enjoyed light refreshments and meaningful conversations reflecting on the artists’ contributions and Robert Panara’s legacy.

On October 3, the Dyer Arts Center hosted an evening with Deaf artist Uzi Buzgalo. This event was an opportunity to come together, share conversation, and get to know Buzgalo through his presentation as well as his exhibition, Portraits of Legacy: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Changemakers.

The exhibition celebrates achievements of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing changemakers and emphasizes that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities have been at the forefront of cultural, scientific, and social change. Through this exhibition, viewers are invited to engage with stories of resilience, creativity, and impact.

During the presentation, Buzgalo connected deeply with his audience while sharing insights into his creative process. Nine of his artworks were displayed, giving guests the opportunity to engage directly with the artist and his work.

Dyer Arts Center celebrated the opening of exhibitions by three Deaf artists during RIT Brick City Homecoming on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Guests enjoyed refreshments, meaningful conversations, and the opportunity to explore exhibitions celebrating arts, heritage, and storytelling.

Currently, our galleries feature:

THROUGH MARCH 20, 2026

The Chromatic Weave of Nature

We invite you to stop by, explore, and experience the exhibitions at the Dyer Arts Center! Visit the website to learn more about past, current, and future exhibitions.

rit.edu/ntid

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