Students’ Work at the Loeb Leads to the Venice Biennale

Léa Greenberg ’25, Emma Larson ’25, Betsy Subiros ’25, and Carissa Kolcun ’25 arrived on campus in 2021 interested in art and art history. Their experiences working at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center—highlighted by a trip to Venice, where they showed off some of the skills they had acquired to a group of Vassar alums—have convinced them to pursue post-Vassar careers in the field. Greenberg intends to become an art therapist, while Larson, Subiros, and Kolcun plan to work in museums.

The four students, whose tasks at the Loeb ranged from working the front desk to cataloguing various collections to co-curating exhibits, traveled to Italy in mid-October for the world-renowned Venice Biennale, which Subiros described as “sort of an Epcot of contemporary art,” featuring the work of artists from around the globe. Each student chose a different exhibit and made a presentation to a dozen alums who were on a trip led by Bart Thurber, Anne Hendricks Bass Director of the Loeb; and Mary-Kay Lombino, Deputy Director and the Emily Hargroves Fisher ’57 and Richard B. Fisher Curator. “We selected these students to make these presentations because of their long-term dedication and involvement working with the entire team at the Loeb in various capacities,” Thurber said.

This was the first Vassar travel program for alums that included current students as part of the trip and provided an environment where alums were able to learn about not only the students’ area of focus at the Biennale, but also about life on campus and long-term interests.

Robin Woodard ’69 said, “Exploring the Biennale, Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto, and so much more in Venice with Bart and Mary-Kay was privilege aplenty, yet oh so enhanced by sharing it all with four of Vassar’s art history students. The alums learned from each of them individually—their knowledge, perspectives, and life stories. We also enjoyed their curiosity, youthful charm, and collective energy. They personified Vassar’s present-day vitality while bearing witness to the enduring excellence of Vassar women.”—Larry Hertz