Jay Howley

Last Friday, the Burgin Center for the Arts hosted a Sips and Nibbles showcase featuring artist and Mercersburg graduate Jay Howley ’21. The event featured a range of Howley’s works, including prints and detailed doodles that turn everyday scenarios into intricate art. Howley credited arts department faculty members Sydney Caretti and Kristen Pixler for pushing his artistic growth and introducing him to a variety of materials and techniques during his formative years on campus.

Howley described his stylistic development as “not something I decided on or made a conscious decision of but a hodgepodge of influence and discovery.” Much of his work is directly influenced by his time at Mercersburg. As a lifelong “fac brat,” Howley essentially grew up on campus, so his artistic style and crafts have been shaped by the place as well. His creative journey spans from childhood finger paintings and simple drawings all the way to a formal exhibit in the Coffrin Gallery, a familiar place he passed by every day on the way to class.

Caretti, who had the fortune to teach Howley in Advanced Studies: Studio Art, recalled his creative mindset. “He always had a unique way of approaching his assignments, especially a time when he depicted a self-portrait through a mirror on the ceiling,” she said. 

Through a variety of art classes at Mercersburg, Howley discovered which materials and methods worked best for his personal style. Howley explained that he still uses the tools he grew up with in his father’s printmaking shop, emphasizing that everything at its core comes back to drawing. His story and creative background offer inspiration to other student artists who work with basic materials and may not have access to expensive art supplies.

His unique style and outlook have led Howley to prosper since leaving Mercersburg. Director of Experiential Education Emily Parsons—who is also Howley’s mother—remarked that her son’s art is “whimsical but also has some purpose.” Currently living in Baltimore, Maryland, Howley works with the local Creative Alliance. His art circulates throughout the community, where he has designed signage for local establishments. Howley said that he enjoys being able to “add to the visual culture of Baltimore, which is already so rich.”

After leaving campus, Howley earned a degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a particular focus on printmaking. At MICA, he really became involved with the surrounding community, creating posters designed to catch the attention of passersby for local bands and businesses.

Part of Howley’s success, as noted by Caretti, comes from the accessibility of his art. Because of the techniques that he uses, he keeps his pieces more affordable than many contemporary artists. In addition to producing his own pieces, Howley is currently working to become an art teacher. 

Howley has come full circle, and having his vision back at Mercersburg brought great energy to the Burgin Center of Arts.