Jesse Walp (third from left) pictured with Art Dept. Chair Bob Grizanti, College President Dr. Matthew Giordano, Professor Judy Piskun, VP for Development Mary Robinson and Chair of the Board of Trustees Catherine Cooley. Photo credit: Buffalo News January 2019.
BN360 has unveiled its 2019 Spotlight Professionals and Villa Maria College is pleased to announce that Jesse Walp, assistant professor of interior design and the College’s art shop supervisor, is one of the 12 individuals being highlighted in 2019.
According to BN360, the young professionals selected for the spotlight strive for professional growth and development, care for their community, and are passionate about the future of the Buffalo Niagara region.
According to Bob Grizanti, the chairperson of the art department at Villa, Jesse exemplifies all of these things. “Jesse is one of our brightest up-and-coming educators at Villa Maria College,” said Grizanti. “He successfully oversees our art shop, teaches in the Interior Design and Fine Arts programs and produces some of the most innovative sculptures found in Western New Work. His commitment as an educator is well-evidenced through the success of his students, as well as his many gallery exhibitions and public art commissions including his recent work in Niagara Falls, New York. We are fortunate to have such a young and talented faculty member as part of our team at Villa Maria College.”
Jesse received his Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Mississippi State University and his Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture with a minor in Furniture Design and Woodworking from Rochester Institution of Technology, and has been a full-time faculty member at Villa since 2011. He also serves as an academic advisor to students pursuing BFA degrees. In addition to his permanent sculpture in Niagara Falls, Walp has been commissioned for more than 30 exhibits, including “Ripe,” a solo exhibition at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center, a Sensory Garden Installation at Autism Services in Williamsville, the Emerald Grove Outdoor Interactive Installation, a permanent display at Art Park in Lewiston, New York, and “Wood: On and Off the Wall,” in the Strohl Art Center in Chautauqua, New York.
In November 2019, BN360 will highlight Walp. Then, they will share a profile that includes things like professional achievements, community involvement, hopes for the Buffalo area, and more.
Jesse Walp (far left) pictured with all of the 2019 BN360 Spotlight Professionals. Photo credit: Buffalo News January 2019.
