About Us

After 35 years of service to the Hofstra University Museum of Art (HUMA), Director Karen T. Albert is retiring. Karen was appointed Director in 2020 and was previously Deputy Director and Chief Curator. Her expertise and dedication to the Museum will be missed. We thank her and wish her well in her retirement and future adventures.

As of September 1, 2023, I will assume the role of Director at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. I look forward to continuing to deliver the stellar exhibitions, innovative programs, and community outreach that have come to be associated with the Museum and the University. Amy Solomon, Director of Education, and Kristen Dorata, Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections, join me in their new roles as we usher the Museum into its next phase.

Aptly titled, the current exhibition, New Perspectives: The Museum of Art at 60, is part of Hofstra University Museum of Art’s diamond anniversary (1963-2023) celebration at the Emily Lowe Gallery on Hofstra’s South Campus this fall. New Perspectives showcases ten mini-exhibitions, with works curated by individuals from the University and its neighboring communities. These invited curators reviewed the collection database and examined works in collection storage to create their selections. Their entries express their individual points of view, perspectives, and expertise. Please read the press release for the list of invited curators and to learn more about the exhibition. We are grateful for their contributions and insights as we experience the collection through their choices.

The Hofstra University Museum of art is part of the long-standing tradition of academic art museums and galleries in the U.S., which started in the 1830s. HUMA was founded as the Emily Lowe Gallery in 1963 and expanded to include the David Filderman Gallery in the Axinn Library. It now maintains over 5200 works of art in its permanent collection and 75 outdoor sculptures. The Museum is the only nationally accredited, public-facing academic museum on Long Island and thrives as a learning laboratory and hub for interdisciplinary art opportunities, scholarly research, and community engagement. Integral to the academic mission of Hofstra University, the Museum advances knowledge and understanding through experiences with authentic works of art. The Museum’s mission is based on the belief that the visual arts are an essential and vital part of our lives.

I am honored to be a part of its future as we explore the Museum anew, and look forward to seeing you in the galleries!

All my best,
Sasha Giordano
Director
September 2023

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 an experienced art historian and dedicated educator. Prior to being appointed Director, Sasha served as the Communications Director, Assistant Director, and most recently as the Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Collections at the Museum. This past spring, 2023, she curated the exhibition When We All Stand, and developed free public programming that included an artists’ panel, Artists' Civic Responsibility. In 2021, as part of an accessibility initiative from The Museum Association of New York and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, she partnered with the Hempstead and Uniondale Public Libraries and created an online virtual series for their patrons, Romare Bearden: Overlapping Meanings. Previously, Sasha worked for The Metropolitan Museum of Art as the Assistant National Manager of Visual Planning, where she oversaw the development of exhibition campaigns that coordinated with merchandising, marketing, design, and curatorial departments. She has taught as an adjunct professor of art history at Hofstra University, Long Island University, Nassau Community College, Saint Joseph’s University, and SUNY Farmingdale College. Sasha holds a Master of Arts in Art History from CUNY Queens College. Her research interests include the preservation of cultural heritage and late pagan to early Christian iconography. 

Kristen Dorata is a Long Island, NY based photographer and creative artist interested in forging links between the past and present. In addition to holding both an MA in Museum Administration from St John’s University and BFA in Photography from St. John’s University and The International Center of Photography, she possesses a variety of experience as an independent archivist and art consultant, specializing in analog photography and alternative processes. Ms. Dorata has been supported by grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, and has cared for and managed collections currently archived at the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum for American Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Autry Museum of the American West, and the Library of Congress.

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.

Eileen McKenna is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra University Museum of Art. She develops curriculum and delivers programs for school and community groups. After an extensive career in Graphic Design and Marketing, Eileen joined the South Shore Art Center in Bellmore as an Art Instructor. She teaches both acrylic and watercolor painting, as well as mixed media workshops. She equally loves designing art projects and working with elementary aged children to bring those projects to life. Eileen has published books on creative exploration and watercolor painting.

Sara Flynn Schaefer is a Museum Educator at the Hofstra Museum of Art. She develops the Artifacts Alive! curriculum and delivers the program to local elementary schools. Prior to joining Hofstra, Sara was an elementary school teacher. She has taught fourth grade in New York City and throughout grades K-5 in Rockville Centre, NY and Baldwin, NY. Before teaching, she worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a Public Affairs Analyst where she delivered lectures and guided tours to college and community groups, and assisted with financial literacy programs.

Sara has a B.A. in Political Science from Pace University and a Masters in Elementary Education from Hunter College. Sara holds a New York State professional certification in elementary education.

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.