Marie Jean Philip Competition 2025 Judges and Master of Ceremonies
Meet this year’s MC
As a proud third-generation Deaf individual, Britta Schwall is a passionate advocate for language access, working to end language deprivation and promote linguistic equity for all. As the Translation and Marketing Coordinator at the ASL Education Center, she is revolutionizing how American Sign Language (ASL) signers navigate, learn, and connect with the world through innovative approaches to education and technology.
Beyond her professional work, Britta is furthering her expertise through graduate studies in Language and Literacy Education at Boston University. An adventurer at heart, she finds inspiration in both creative expression and exploration, whether she’s crafting art, globe-trotting, or carving her path through the mountains, on foot or on a board.
Meet this year’s judges!
Takiyah Harris
I am Collage Art Artist and Fine Art Photographer. I am involved in De’VIA since 2014 because I started to gather more information about Black Deaf History including my ancestry from my family’s sides. I wanted to share my experiences with you about the oppression, Deaf experience, Deafhood and others. I am spending my time working on the compositions with the texture materials because I wanted to feel the connection to various artworks. Most of Collage Art artworks are giving you the narrative stories and interpretation about Black History. Most of artworks are influenced by Jacob Lawerence and Emroy Douglass and Romare Bearden. Also, I had been working on various art projects for Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients from my previous job for 13 years.
I am holding two Bachelor degrees from Southern Illinois University and Governors State University. Also, I have an associate degree from National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology. I had been involved in various galleries around the Chicago area and out of the states.
Jon Savage
Jon Savage is a contemporary Deaf artist whose creative journey has been deeply influenced by a lifetime of visual storytelling and cultural advocacy. Growing up in an artistic household—his father a photographer/videographer and his mother a hairstylist/craft artist—Jon developed an early passion for expression through painting, cinematography, video editing, and mixed media.
Beyond his artistic pursuits, Jon has been a dedicated advocate for the Deaf community, traveling extensively to educate others on linguistic, social, political, and cultural issues. His artwork often explores identity, movement, and the fusion of language and visual art, incorporating bold colors and abstract compositions that reflect his personal experiences.
As a returning judge for the 2025 Marie Jean Philip ASL Poetry, Storytelling, and Deaf Art Competition, Jon brings his expertise in visual composition, creativity, and cultural representationto the evaluation process. His commitment to empowering Deaf artists and storytellers aligns with the mission of the MJP Competition—celebrating artistic expression within the Deaf community.
Jon continues to push artistic boundaries through painting, video art, and immersive experiences, using his platform to inspire and connect.
