On April 24, 2026, students from CU Denver’s College of Arts & Media (CAM) presented a wide range of projects at the university’s annual Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS). Spanning film, art history, sculpture, digital design, and recording arts, the presentations highlighted the creative practices and scholarly work happening in CAM.

From explorations of music and identity to original films and immersive sculptures, CAM students demonstrated both technical skill and critical engagement with contemporary issues.

Exploring Culture, Identity, and Representation

Several students, under the direction of Art History Professor Maria Buszek, examined how art and media shape cultural narratives. Film & Television (FiTV) student Violet Dempsey explored the psychobilly band The Cramps, analyzing how their music challenges traditional norms through themes of sexuality, feminism, and “queer monstrosity.”

Art History students also brought critical perspectives to visual culture. Photography and Art History student Anya Ortiz focused on contemporary trans photography, highlighting artists who explore trans beauty and desire. Her work situates these images within broader conversations in queer and feminist art history.

Graduating senior Michael Cullis explored the concept of “sakuga” in Japanese animation—moments of especially high-quality animation that create awe and emotional impact for viewers. Jonas Sanchez examined Trevor Paglen’s “Limit Telephotography,” a project that documents secretive military sites from long distances, raising questions about surveillance, visibility, and abstraction.

Film Projects Address Social and Personal Stories

FiTV students presented a strong lineup of narrative and documentary film projects.

Purple Summer, a senior thesis film directed by Mason Grande, tells the story of two coal miners in 1990s West Virginia navigating a hidden romantic relationship in a homophobic environment. Produced by An Duong with production design by Savannah Londo, the film involved a crew of about 50 people. 

Another senior thesis, What Remains, directed by Kassidy Thacker with cinematography by Alaini Langston, responds to the 2025 termination of national park employees, a directive initiated by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Filmed in three national parks in Colorado, the project blends environmental and political themes while reflecting on conservation and loss.

Room 988, created by sophomore FiTV students Theo Henderson and Holly Matthews, follows a hospital janitor contemplating suicide, offering a perspective that emphasizes survival rather than tragedy. The Scare, by Sophii Sherman and Christine Galvez, is a coming-of-age story set in Cold War-era Berlin, exploring the deaf experience through the life of a young girl.

Purple Summer, What Remains, Room 988, and The Scare will screen at Cinefest, CAM’s annual film screening and awards ceremony, May 11 -13 and May 15, 2026 at the King Center on the Auraria Campus.

In addition to original productions, FiTV student Madeleine Finch contributed to FiTV faculty member Andrew Bateman’s film No Trees, No Sky, by editing and shaping footage filmed over a 15-year period.

Creative Practice as Research

Art Practices student Sam Barnum presented Tower of Boobylon, a large-scale sculptural thesis project composed of cast breast forms in resin, bronze, and iron. The immersive installation invites viewers to reconsider cultural ideas of beauty by separating the breast from its usual context on the body.

Tony Pizano, a FiTV sophomore, collaborated with Anthropology Professor Marty Otañez on a multimedia project examining psilocybin use. Through edited interviews, the project explores stigma, personal experience, and shifting public perceptions on psilocybin.

Recording Arts student Aiden Csapo examined storytelling in heavy metal music, analyzing how elements like instrumentation, lyrics, and performance shape narrative meaning across the genre.

Designing for Real-World Impact

Digital design student Justin Perry presented Revi, a user experience project focused on infotainment systems for automobiles. His work emphasizes safety, clarity, and accessibility—addressing how interface design can reduce distraction and improve usability—and ultimately safety—for drivers.

Student Collaboration and Performance

Collaboration and professional development were also key themes at RaCAS. The student band Look at fiona performed as part of the symposium, building on experiences supported by a Eureka Grant that enabled them to attend the NAMM conference and tour together last year.

Across all projects, CAM students demonstrated a commitment to using creative work to ask questions, tell stories, and engage with real-world challenges. Whether through research, design, or artistic production, their work reflects the diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary approach that define the College of Arts & Media.