About Us

Fall 2025

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, we welcome you to a vibrant new season at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. This fall, we invite you to join us for a variety of free public programs that support our current exhibition, Love Is the Message, Photography by Jamel Shabazz, designed to inspire, educate, and connect. Now more than ever, we need to keep the arts alive, not only as a form of expression, but as a vital part of community life.

An exhibition is not just about seeing. It’s about discovering, researching, and connecting. Art sparks curiosity by presenting original works and inviting all viewers to look beyond what they think they know. It meets the community where it is, saying: “I don’t know you yet, but look at me, understand me, question me, feel me.” And through that shared experience, transformation takes place.

We are proud to present Love Is the Message, Photography by Jamel Shabazz, an exhibition conceived in this very spirit. Curated by Team Love, a collective partnership that includes the artist Jamel Shabazz; Robert Dupreme Eatman; Dr. Bilal Polson, principal of Northern Parkway School in Uniondale, New York; Erik Sumner, art educator at Northern Parkway School; and the Hofstra University Museum of Art, the show celebrates five decades of Shabazz’s artistic achievement.

This is Shabazz’s first solo exhibition on Long Island, a fitting tribute, as he is a longtime resident of Hempstead, New York. His iconic street photography documents the evolution of hip-hop culture, fashion, and community life from the 1980s to today. More than a visual record, Love Is the Message is a heartfelt celebration of identity, belonging, and the enduring power of human connection.

At the Hofstra University Museum of Art, we believe that community is the heart of a museum. That’s why we hope you will take part in our fall season, not only by visiting, but by supporting the museum in meaningful ways. Consider purchasing items from our line of museum merchandise, including our new notecard set featuring stunning images of African artifacts from our expansive collection. These cards make beautiful gifts and help support our mission. You can also show your commitment to the arts by becoming a Friend or Museum Member.

Every visit, every conversation, every act of support helps us continue to bring art, education, and cultural dialogue to our community.

I hope you can join us for all the exciting moments this season holds.

Warmly,
Sasha Giordano
Director, Hofstra University Museum of Art

Jackie Geis is the Senior Assistant to the Director of the Hofstra University Museum of Art. Prior to joining the Museum, she spent 3 years as the department administrator for Global Studies and Geography in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Jackie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, along with a minor in Sociology, from Moravian College and a Certificate in Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management from Hofstra University. She has worked in a variety of industries including banking, cosmetics, healthcare and non-profits, acquiring experience in IT asset management, consumer packaged goods (CPG) marketing, web content, social media and event management.

Amy Garay Solomon is the Director of Education at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She develops and oversees programs for P-12 students and varied community groups. Prior to becoming Director, Amy was a museum educator at Hofstra University Museum of Art. Amy taught middle school socials studies in Brooklyn, NY at an arts-based public school, where she also mentored student teachers. She taught as an adjunct professor of social studies education at New York University. Amy has a B.A. in International Affairs, with a minor in Art History from The George Washington University, and an M.A. in Secondary Social Studies education from New York University. She holds a New York State professional certificate in teaching social studies 5-12 and gifted and talented education 5-12.

Alexandra Sasha Giordano is a seasoned art historian and dedicated educator with experience in curatorial leadership and museum administration. Prior to her appointment as Director, she held several key positions at the Museum, including Communications Director, Assistant Director, and Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections.

As Director, Sasha curates major exhibitions such as When We All Stand, Les Visionnaires: In the Modernist Spirit, and Love is the Message: Photography of Jamel Shabazz. She is also instrumental in developing innovative programming and cultivating strategic partnerships that broaden the Museum’s community engagement and institutional impact. Under her leadership, the Museum has secured increased funding through grants from the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York Community Trust Foundation, and the Huntington Council for the Arts.

Earlier in her career, Sasha served as Assistant National Manager of Visual Planning at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she led the coordination of exhibition campaigns across merchandising, marketing, design, and curatorial departments. In addition to her work in museums, she is an experienced educator, having taught art history as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University, Long Island University, Nassau Community College, Saint Joseph’s University, and SUNY Farmingdale State College. She holds a Master of Arts in Art History from CUNY Queens College.

Jonathan Fidis is the Communication Director at the Hofstra University. He works on promoting the Museum through social media and publicity campaigns. While he was a Hofstra student, Jonathan worked in the Emily Lowe Gallery as an Undergraduate Gallery Assistant. Jonathan earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Criminology with minors in Sociology and Linguistics.

Stephanie McGee is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She creates, develops, and teaches the curriculum for the 21st Century program. This program helps expand on the importance of art and education. Previously, Stephanie was an outreach educator for the Long Island Children's Museum. She was an educator in Freeport Public Schools for kindergarten through fifth grade and worked as an assistant at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Stephanie received a dual BA of Fine Arts from Tufts University and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Marisa (Ris) Aguiló-Cuadra is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art where they develop and teach the curriculum of the Art Explorers and Art Travelers Through Time programs, primarily working with elementary school students. Ris has been working with children and families for more than ten years as a youth counselor and art educator in a not-for-profit setting. They are a multi-disciplinary artist with a studio background in drawing, painting, ceramics, music, and performance art, and a research background in Pre-Columbian art, women artists, and LGBTQ activist art. Ris majored in studio art and minored in art history at Stony Brook University, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. They hold a Master of Fine Arts degree from the City University of New York at Queens College.

Tamara Alfano is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She creates, develops, and teaches the curriculum for the 21st Century program. This program helps expand on the importance of art and education. Previously, Tamara was a Planned Giving Specialist at Bideawee. She was a crucial member of the Development team and helped raise funds and awareness for homeless pets. Tamara has a deep personal connection to providing hands on art and learning experiences for children.

Jessica Galarza is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She works primarily with elementary students, developing and teaching the curriculum of the Art Explorers and Art Travelers Through Time programs. Jessica has experience teaching primary students in Buddha, Uganda, for a two-month long internship with the grassroots organization, Pathways Development Initiative (PDI), during the summer of 2019. Jessica graduated from Lehigh University with a BA in Anthropology and Global Studies and has three years of experience as a museum educator at Lehigh University Art Galleries (LUAG). In addition to working at Hofstra, Jessica is a part-time graduate student earning her MS in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) at St. John’s University.

Presley Rodriguez is the Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. Prior to joining the Museum, Presley worked at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, a house museum in New York City, where she helped manage the collection, plan exhibitions, and assist with fundraising. Presley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology from Boston University. While completing her Master of Arts in Art History from CUNY Hunter College, she worked as a curatorial intern at the American Federation of Arts through CUNY Cultural Corps and participated in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Alexis Gregory Curatorial Practice Program. Presley's research interests are eighteenth and nineteenth-century American decorative arts, with a particular focus on nation building and depictions of race.

Victoria Unz is the Collections Manager at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. Prior to joining the Museum, Victoria received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Master of Arts in Museum Administration from St. John’s University. Her passion for the arts stemmed from her childhood and continued into college where she continued to take art classes and complete a minor in Fine Arts. Throughout her schooling at St. John’s and internship with the Save Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA), Victoria has had the opportunity to co-curate an exhibition, create and implement teaching modules and activities, both requiring thorough and vigorous research, as well as exhibit her own artwork throughout the St. John’s University campus.