Alumnus Braimah Lawal ’14 Returns to Loyola to Share Art, Story, and Purpose

Dreaming in Colors is a dynamic and deeply personal body of work that explores identity, imagination, and the vibrant interplay of culture and memory. Drawing on his multicultural background, Lawal reflects on themes of family, longing, love, and the ongoing search for home. Through bold color and visual storytelling, his paintings invite viewers into moments of reflection, vulnerability, and authentic connection.

 

During his visit, Lawal spoke candidly with students about his path to embracing life as an artist—one that, for many years, felt just out of reach. Although art had always been part of his life, he shared that he did not fully claim the title of "artist" until the COVID-19 pandemic. "I was scared of being judged,” Lawal explained, reflecting on the vulnerability required to share one’s work publicly. “Being an artist is putting your soul out into the world."

 

That honesty resonated deeply with students. Charlotte Glen '27 described the experience as both inspiring and reassuring, noting that seeing an alumnus share his work and story made the idea of pursuing art feel less intimidating. Observing how different artists use color and storytelling, she said, helped her realize that creativity does not have to be frightening or constrained by perfection. For Charlotte, who is interested in fashion design and visual art, Lawal’s visit affirmed that it is possible to take creative risks and still succeed.

 

Now an established artist, Lawal describes his relationship with art as one rooted in clarity and purpose. While nerves may surface before exhibitions or public conversations, he shared that once he is immersed in his work, he knows he is exactly where he is meant to be. He likened the experience to a musician stepping onto a stage—once fully present, the fear fades, and the calling becomes unmistakable.

 

Students across disciplines found meaning in that message. Zachary Schmidt '26, who does not consider himself deeply involved in the arts, said he appreciated Lawal's candor and vulnerability. Hearing an alumnus speak openly about his life and creative process made the experience both interesting and reassuring, offering a reminder that Loyola is not simply a place students pass through, but a community they remain connected to long after graduation.

 

For Olivia Ephrem '27, who hopes to pursue art in the future, Lawal's return carried particular significance. Seeing a Loyola graduate living out an artistic vocation made the path feel attainable. She reflected that art—whether visual, written, or performed—serves as a way to tell stories and interpret human experience, much like history itself. Lawal's emphasis on emotion and personal meaning reinforced her belief that the arts play an essential role in education and self-understanding.

 

The visit also reflected the broader vision of Loyola Academy's Fine Arts program. Pat Patterson, chair of the Fine Arts Department, noted that welcoming alumni artists back to campus is an intentional extension of Loyola’s Jesuit mission. "By sharing his work and his story so openly," Patterson said, "Lawal models what it means to trust one's gifts, embrace vulnerability, and engage the world with depth and purpose—hallmarks of both artistic practice and Ignatian formation."

 

Lawal described his return to Loyola as deeply personal, likening it to offering encouragement to his 14-year-old self—the young student who first arrived on campus navigating a new country, a new culture, and questions of belonging. Coming back, he said, felt like a way of honoring that journey while offering hope to current students.

 

Ultimately, Lawal sees his art as a tool for something larger than himself. His purpose, he shared, is to inspire others to believe in their own worth and creative potential. In doing so, he offered the Loyola community a powerful reminder that creativity is not reserved for a select few, but is a vital expression of being human—an invitation to reflect, to create, and to live authentically, grounded in the belief that each person is uniquely made in the image and likeness of God.