Senior Capstone Projects 2023

2023 VPA Senior Capstone Projects

Seniors in Merrimack’s visual and perfoming arts programs share this year’s capstone projects. This is our fourth year sharing these projects on our website. See last year’s projects.

What is a senior capstone project?

Senior capstone projects take place in the senior year of study. They are designed to explore a passion with intensity, take the shape of a large experiential project, or complete a research topic written thesis. Projects are designed to challenge and upend your comfort zone. They are publicly celebrated through performance, exhibition, publication, and oral presentation.

VPA Senior Capstone Projects 2023

Nicholas J. Andriotakis
- Graphic Design
The Honest Snake Oil Salesman: Cartoon Pilot
I wrote, animated, and produced a television pilot for a potential cartoon.
Dani Castino
- Graphic Design
Rebuild: A Sustainable Architecture Magazine
REBUILD is a sustainable architecture magazine that highlights climate change's impacts on natural disasters.
Isabella Collins
- Graphic Design
Self-Guided Museum Activities
A series of self-guided museum activities and tours to help young children critically engage with art around them.
Jeff Converse
- Graphic Design
Visual Brand Design: NOVA Group and Its Subsidiaries
Brand identities are the cornerstone of appealing to consumers. My capstone focused on design for a fictional conglomerate with three subsidiary companies.
Robert Fernandes
- Music
Heavy Metal: Why?
The purpose of this project is to answer the question of “Why?” Why is Heavy Metal a thing? Why do people enjoy it?
Jenna Gordon
- Art & Art History, Psychology
Chloe's New Sister
I wrote and illustrated a children’s book “Chloe’s New Sister.” Chloe is suddenly introduced to her new younger sister, Daisy, though Chloe is not very excited about this new member of the family, and struggles to get along with her.
Sahana Gorur
- Graphic Design
Kandana Kavyamale: A Collection Of Children’s Poems
This collection of children’s poems by Dr. G.P. Rajaratnam is a bilingual book designed to help you read and enjoy his poems.
Michael Gravante
- Theatre Arts
Directing “Circle Mirror Transformation”
I directed a production of Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, where five strangers open up for growth in a community center acting class.
Allison Hamel
- Art & Art History
Holy Punk: A Podcast
Holy Punk is a podcast all about the punk aesthetic. In each episode, I discuss punk music, fashion, design, and politics.
Josh Heath
- Theatre Arts
Technical Direction of The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe
During the Fall semester’s production of The Wolves, Josh was responsible for the technical elements designed by Scenic Designer Rachel Rose-Burke.
Mary Landers
- Graphic Design
Coffee Cocktails
Coffee Cocktails is a coffee shop inspired by the atmosphere of cocktail parties, elements, and ideals of the Roaring 1920s.
Nicole Martin
- Art & Art History
Clothing of Our Future
An installation made entirely out of clothing. The “bodies” represent what our future will hold if we do nothing to prevent climate change.
Charlie McGarigle
- Graphic Design
Green Townsend Environmental Campaign
This campaign is focused on encouraging others to appreciate the town of Townsend, Massachusetts and its natural lands (forests, lakes, trails, etc.)
Joshua Mendonça
- Music
Memories
My project is meant to be a way of expressing the transition I made from happiness, to difficulty, to acceptance of myself in elementary, middle, and high school.
Elise Persicketti
- Music
Unit 1: Note Names to The Circle of Fifths
Lesson plans for elementary students with engaging musical activities and an original song.
Annie Santerre
- Music
Memories are Just Pictures
Memories are Just Pictures is a concept album playing with the idea of capturing moments in time through song.
Lily Seremet
- Graphic Design and Art & Art History Major
Fading Away: The Endangerment of the Amur Leopard
An exhibition of multi-media art pieces of the Amur Leopard, focused on the importance and effects of animal endangerment.
Kyle Sweeney
- Industrial Design
FeatBeats
FeatBeats are a pair of instrumental shoes that have electronics built into each shoe that allow you to connect and play music through the footwear.
Em Wood
- Theatre Arts
The Curtain Call Chronicles: A Documentary
A documentary highlighting the sheer ingenuity and will power that goes into putting on a theatrical production.

Contact Us

Nancy Wynn
Department Chair and Associate Professor, Graphic Design
978-837-3433 | email

Dan Vlahos
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design
978-837-5952 | email