Lisanby Scholar Series: Madison Dalton

By Jen Kulju (M'04)

Freshman art history major Madison Dalton says that receiving a Lisanby Scholarship was the deciding factor in choosing James Madison for college. “Art history is a unique niche, and the scholarship allowed for opportunities I wouldn’t have had at other universities.” Living in a community of artists at Wayland Hall is one of those opportunities, according to Dalton. “It’s powerful to be in an environment that inspires you and where you help to inspire others … and you’re feeding off of each other’s creative energy.”

Dalton’s creative energy is further fed by her internship at JMU’s Madison Art Collection. In high school, Dalton was a part of the Museum Leaders in Training program at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, where her parents (both active in the arts) took her when she was younger. Dalton’s time at the VMFA prepared her well for the MAC, where she does research on artists of her choice and explores “all the different galleries on campus.” “I have seen Mrs. [Gladys] Lisanby’s portrait in the Lisanby Museum … and am thankful for the opportunities she has provided for me and my peers.”