About
As part of the NYSID student design team, I participated in the creation of an immersive installation for the 2025 DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation) Midnight Masque Gala. Our team was selected through the DIFFA Student Design Initiative and challenged to interpret the gala’s evocative theme: Splendor in the Shadows, Purpose in the Light.
Inspired by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, a historic symbol of activism and inclusion, our installation embraced gothic architecture, glowing stained glass, floating shards, and candlelight to reflect a narrative of beauty emerging from darkness. Just as the cathedral has long served as a beacon for social justice, our display honored DIFFA’s mission of advocacy and hope through design.
NYSID's design takes a cue from the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, which has a long history of social activism, deeply rooted in its mission to promote justice, peace, and inclusivity. Since its construction began in 1892, it has served not just as a place of worship but as a hub for progressive social causes such as civil rights, racial justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and poverty initiatives. Just like the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, DIFFA and the Angelo Donghia Foundation have brought light to people in need through their advocacy.
