When a group of McMurry University students visited Italy this spring as part of a study abroad trip, they were greeted by Logan Shary ’19, a McMurry alumna now living in the vibrant coastal town of Viareggio.
Logan greeted the group at the train station, embodying her surroundings’ artistic flair and laid-back charm. As they strolled through the city, its colorful Art Nouveau architecture serving as a vivid backdrop, Logan shared stories of its history, art, and culture. She led them to her partner’s family’s seaside restaurant for local hospitality, fresh seafood, and homemade pasta, before slipping away to prepare for the dazzling spectacle of the evening’s Carnevale parade.
When the students next saw her, she was completely transformed. Adorned in striking makeup and an elaborate costume, she danced in front of a Carnevale float, moving in perfect rhythm with the pulse of music, the shimmer of lights, and the cheers of thousands of people lining the street.
Logan’s involvement in the Viareggio Carnevale began through a local connection whose family had been part of the parade for over two decades. When she expressed interest, she was warmly welcomed into the community. She spent her first year working behind the scenes on float production and now performs as a dancer in one of the parade’s many themed presentations.
“It’s surreal and so joyful,” she said of the experience. “I never imagined I’d be part of something like this.”
Originally from North Carolina, Logan moved frequently as a child, living in California, Arizona, England, and Norway before settling in Texas. She discovered McMurry at a pivotal time, drawn by its strong faculty and close-knit community. She studied painting as a studio art major, but her 3D art and anatomy classes challenged her to think more expansively. “I didn’t always know I’d be an artist,” she said.
“Art was in my family, but McMurry gave me the space to take that seriously. My professors helped me grow, not just as an artist, but as a person.”
A key moment in Logan’s time at McMurry came when she discovered the university’s partnership with SIRSA (Studio Art Centers International) in Florence, Italy. She took the initiative to arrange a semester abroad through the program — a transformative experience that led to an internship with SIRSA after she graduated. She moved to Florence in 2019 to continue her creative development in one of the world’s great art capitals until the pandemic prompted her to trade the crowded city life for the coastal charm of Viareggio.
Today, Logan earns a living teaching English to Italian adults while exploring multimedia art in her free time in a small, flexible studio space at home. More a creative playground than a traditional workspace, her studio reflects her artistic approach — embracing spontaneity, play, and the fluid nature of temporary materials and evolving installations. A recurring character in her work is Rondine, a stylized swallow inspired by the Italian word for the migratory bird — a fitting symbol of her journey across continents, embracing change and belonging.
Though she’s now living and creating halfway across the world, Logan credits her time at McMurry for helping her build the foundation she needed to pursue a creative life with confidence.
“I’m so grateful,” she said. “The people, the professors, and the encouragement gave me the courage to make things, try, and go where I felt called.”
For the students who watched and waved at her as she danced through the streets during Carnevale, it was a decisive moment — not just of cultural discovery, but of inspiration. They saw firsthand where an art degree can take you — and how creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to follow your path can lead to a life full of color, purpose, and community.