Name: Allison Piazza (she/her)
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Brief description/explanation of the work: For the theme of “First Page: An Exploration of Beginnings,” she chose her collage, “New York, New York.” A resident of the city for over 20 years, Allison equates NYC with new possibilities.
Bio: Allison was a medical librarian at the IHS Library from 2018 to 2023, and is proud to serve as faculty advisor for Ripple Magazine’s first issue! You can see more of her collages at https://allisonpiazzanyc.wordpress.com/collage-art/.
Name: Devin Beckmann (he/him)
Cohort: 2022
Hometown: New City, New York
Bio: As someone who grew up painting but lost my interest in art, feeling my passion fade as canvases started to feel like clutter, I rediscovered my love for painting when I learned about the world of customizing shoes. From canvas sneakers to leather dress shoes - anything is possible. What once felt like clutter has turned into a form of more public self expression. You see more of my work as well as videos of the shoe painting process on my Instagram page @Yourownshoeartist
Name: Grace Basralian
Cohort: 2022
Hometown: Hackensack, NJ
Bio: Grace Basralian is a second-year medical student from Hackensack, NJ. She completed a major in exercise science and a minor in fine arts at George Washington University prior to medical school. Outside of the classroom, she continues to pursue her interests in art and exercise by spending her time creating art and working out at the gym. At this time, Grace’s current specialty interests are orthopedic surgery and urology.
Name: Leigh Plasil (she/her)
Cohort: 2022
Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ
Description/explanation of the work: I created this painting in college when my friends and I were bored and stuck in quarantine. Watercolor is one of my favorite paint mediums because it flows in an organic and impressionistic nature.
Name: Melissa Davide (she/her)
Cohort: 2022
Hometown: Queens NY
Description/explanation of the work: I crocheted these using patterns I found online.
Bio: I was having a hard time focusing on studying, and hoped that maybe if I had something to do with my hands I'd be able to focus better. During winter break I picked crocheting up again, and it's really helped. I only crochet when I study, and now I actually look forward to it. 10/10 would recommend.
Name: Dr. Harsimran Panesar
Cohort: 2019
Hometown: Stirling, NJ
Bio: Simmy Panesar is a recent graduate of HMSOM, currently an intern in general surgery at Morristown Medical Center. She began painting during her senior year of undergrad and made it her hobby since then.
