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Shout-out to #PafAlum Melissa Joseph (MFA '18), UOVO Prize winner and Brooklyn-based celebrated for her distinctive fiber-painting work that thoughtfully examines themes of belonging and cultural heritage. Her forthcoming solo exhibition, Melissa Joseph: Tender (June 6–November 2, 2025), will transform the Iris Cantor Plaza at the Brooklyn Museum Brooklyn Museum into a contemplative space fostering connection. Featuring meticulously crafted felted artworks framed in hexagons—an elegant reference to the 16th-century Siena Cathedral mosaics—Joseph’s installation invites viewers to reflect on the simple, meaningful moments of life: laughter, rest, and togetherness. Learn More: https://brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/melissa-joseph While studying at PAFA, Joseph engaged deeply with the complex realities of violence and healing. Her project Expunge, exhibited at PAFA’s Broad Street Studio, responded to Philadelphia’s ongoing gun violence crisis. Drawing from personal and family experiences, Joseph created 320 white T-shirts screen-printed with targets, each representing a shooting victim. The project invited the public to wash the shirts in a symbolic act of cleansing and dialogue, fostering a safe space for reflection and healing. The photos featured here show Melissa installing the work. You can read more about Expunge on PAFA’s blog at pafa.org. Congratulations, Melissa! Check out the exhibition. . . . . 📷 Photos from the installation of Expunge in the Broad Street Studio at PAFA, 2018. (fb)