Corinne Baptiste ’11 Opens First Solo Art Show

The Long Island Art Council selected the painter's oil works for a monthlong exhibition at the Art Alcove in Freeport, NY

Key Highlights

• Corinne Baptiste ’11, a Sacred Heart University art & design graduate, is holding her first solo art exhibition
• The Long Island Art Council selected Baptiste's oil paintings for display during Hispanic Heritage Month at the Art Alcove in Freeport, NY, from October 2 through October 31
• Baptiste credits her Sacred Heart education and professors with shaping her artistic and creative foundation

Corinne Baptiste ’11, a graduate of Sacred Heart University’s art & design program, is marking a career milestone this month with her first solo art exhibition. The Long Island Art Council selected Baptiste’s oil paintings to feature during Hispanic Heritage Month at the Art Alcove in Freeport, NY. The show opened October 2 and will remain on view through October 31.

Baptiste built a career in publishing, marketing, and art direction before returning to painting after becoming a mother. What began as a personal outlet has grown into a body of work recognized across Long Island's arts community.

“I really needed something that belonged to me,” Baptiste said. “I think as a mother, you give a lot of yourself to your family, and I wanted to find some time to carve out for my own passions and let that fuel me as well to being a happier and healthier person.”

The solo exhibition has reinforced that sense of purpose, giving Baptiste an opportunity to share her work with a wider audience while continuing to make space for her own artistic ambitions.

“This show means a great deal to me. Of course there’s the validation that comes with it, that this is a body of work that deserves to be seen, felt, and experienced by others,” Baptiste said. “But I think most importantly, while I’m at this crossroads of juggling motherhood, the corporate world, and my creative outlets, it tells me that I’m onto something and it’s a path worth carving out for myself.”

Baptiste learned of the opportunity through a recommendation from her local art teacher, initially believing she would contribute a few pieces to a group exhibition.

“I actually thought I was going to be contributing one or two pieces to a collective exhibit for Hispanic Heritage Month, only to learn later it was all for me. I was shocked and over the moon,” Baptiste said. “It's an honor to take space not only as an artist, but a proud Latina artist.”

The exhibition includes portraits and still lifes rendered in oil, watercolor, and colored pencil, reflecting Baptiste’s background in graphic design and photo direction. Her painting “Joy,” a portrait of herself and her husband, Brandon Baptiste ’10, received an Award of Excellence at The Village Art Club’s 2026 Summer Exhibition. Her painting “Neighborhood Watch,” a portrait of the couple's dog, received an Award of Merit at the same event.

“I hope viewers are able to see beauty in everyday moments, but also that it stirs up moments of nostalgia,” Baptiste said of her work.

Baptiste credited her time at Sacred Heart, including her first work study position in the campus art gallery, with shaping her creative foundation. She said her drawing and painting professors built her technical skill and confidence, while her design professors taught her how to approach storytelling through visual work.

“Sacred Heart’s art & design program was such an incredible program, and I’m so thankful to it every day,” Baptiste said. “I loved how much drawing and painting I got to do while pursuing a graphic design degree. It always made me feel like a well-rounded creative and fed my hands-on creativity while being drawn to design programs. My drawing and painting professors had a heavy hand in pushing my artistic ability and confidence, while my design professors gave me a way of thinking and ability to tell stories with my work, no matter the medium.”

Baptiste and her husband met at SHU 19 years ago in what is now the John & Sabina Petillo Center for the Performing Arts. The couple will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary next October and have two daughters.

Reflecting on her journey, Baptiste said current students pursuing creative paths should trust the depth of their training even as new tools reshape the design field.

“It's a tough time right now with both AI and the democratization of design tools,” Baptiste said. “Everyone thinks they're a designer, but just remember that you have learned the how and why behind it all, and that's what still keeps designers apart and necessary in this field. There are many creative outlets now, so if something is a passion of yours, just go all in.”