Wellness impacts at the Haggerty Museum of Art

In Fall 2025, Marquette University's Haggerty Museum of Art presented four exhibitions and 12 public programs highlighting human journeys, adversity and resilience. Experts from Marquette's faculty and staff, along with numerous community partners, shared their knowledge and talents to develop experiences that spotlighted the importance of mental health and wellness.

The initiative was championed by Luis de Zengotita, Marquette's Chief Wellness Officer, who views the arts as an essential component of public health. He notes that wellness at Marquette extends beyond the individual, requiring the cultivation of a healthy community through education and advocacy. According to de Zengotita, art serves as a powerful medium to foster empathy and illuminate the complex interconnections between trauma, resilience, and healing in our world.

The museum's fall season was marked by a deep, emotional connection between the art and its visitors evidenced by numerous spontaneous and powerful personal stories.

At an opening reception, visitors were visibly moved by Raoul Deal's woodcuts, sharing tears and stories as they discussed the dignity afforded to their immigration experiences, a moment staff called "why we do this." Student engagement was similarly intense, with one teenager whispering, "I didn't expect to feel this much," in front of a Swoon installation, and another stating that the red color of gallery walls made the room feel "like a heartbeat."

Over 4,000 students attended customized classes throughout the fall semester, a record high due to a collaboration with the Department of Theology. More than 850 Theo 1001 students were presented with the opportunity to engage deeply and develop discernment through art in the "Life Lines" exhibition. A student commented, "The 'Life Lines' exhibit has helped create people that are more observant and understanding, more self-reflective, and I think that is very special. This class has helped me learn much about myself, others, my faith, and the world around me."

The impact extended to public programming. A lunchtime talk on the "Martyrdom of St. Sebastian" was so engaging that an attendee commented they had never seen people "lean in like this" on campus. The "Disappearance Jail" conversation blended the rich resources of Marquette experts with an exhibiting artist to imagine an improved carceral system. One attendee called the event "A cathartic experience and a reminder that not only is a better world possible - there are people actively working toward it."

Recognizing the pressures of providing outstanding higher education, Jonathan Malesic was invited to present a workshop addressing burnout and why college faculty are so vulnerable to it. Thirty-one faculty and staff members participated in the lively discussion. Beyond care for the educator, Malesic highlighted care for all in his presentation of "To See as Mary Sees: Marian Art and the Crisis of Attention," which was subsequently published in America magazine. An attendee commented, "One of the best on-campus presentations I've had the privilege to attend. His combination of theological and artistic insight is rare and greatly appreciated."

The season's success culminated in the Community Art & Wellness Retreat, a space fostering rare vulnerability which external partners described as "alive, inclusive and welcoming". Participants openly shared feelings about personal pain and burnout without shame. Perhaps the most telling validation came from a first-time visitor who remarked, "I didn't know museums could feel like this." Strong, meaningful connections resulted from the Haggerty Museum's focus on authentic, emotional experiences to promote empathy, conversation and resilience in our community.