Architecture’s Mary Leihy

Mary Leihy (right) presents her certificate of achievement for completing the summer studio experience.

Mary Leihy is a current sophomore at Benedictine College from Hillsboro, Kan., and Gregorian Fellow studying Architecture. Many of our Gregorian Fellows had opportunities to participate in top internships around the country. Here is her experience of a summer studio at the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art, in New York City, N.Y.

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to learn from some of the greatest Architects in New York City through the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.

It was a four-week intensive summer studio where I learned how to create measured drawings of buildings and facades, hand-draft a pavilion for Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and make connections with the professional community of classical architecture. Some of these connections include: Peter Pennoyer Architects, Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), and Roman and Williams.

It was an amazing experience! It was also difficult because I have little to no experience with professional architecture; it may sound contradictory, but I learned how to be a leader by being a beginner, and that ‘finished’ is better than ‘perfect’.

I hope to use this knowledge of classical architecture in future projects, especially those based on sacred architecture.

See a regular Fellows Friday update every week and share our stories from our social media page.