Bloom Fest 2026 at Loyola University Celebrates Creativity, Community and the Legacy of Kendall Michelle Daigle
Loyola University will host its annual Bloom Fest celebration March 30, from 5 to 7 p.m., a spring event honoring the life, legacy and creative spirit of Kendall Michelle Daigle.
Presented by the College of Music and Media, the event is free and open to the public, and will take place at the Kendall Tree, located between Monroe Hall and the Gayle and Tom Benson Jesuit Center on Loyola’s campus.
Held each year around Kendall’s birthday (March 28), Bloom Fest serves as a meaningful tribute to her enduring impact on the Loyola community. A devoted English major, Kendall tragically lost her life to addiction in 2014. In her memory, the festival celebrates the transformative power of creativity while fostering awareness and dialogue around mental health and addiction.
Bloom Fest – organized by the Kendall Collective – brings together students, faculty, alumni and members of the broader community to create, share and connect through artistic expression. The event showcases work from students across film, theatre, design, English and music, highlighting the interdisciplinary spirit of Loyola’s creative community.
“As educators and creators, we believe in the transformative power of making,” said Daniela Marx, chair of the Design department at Loyola. “Bloom Fest embodies that spirit – bringing together disciplines, voices and experiences to honor Kendall’s legacy through creativity and shared expression.”
The Kendall Collective is an organization that honors Kendall’s life and creative legacy by fostering artistic expression, community engagement and mental health awareness. Its initiatives include stewardship of the Kendall Tree memorial, the Kendall Collective Internship Program and the annual Bloom Fest celebration.
At the heart of the event is the Kendall Tree, an interactive memorial reimagined and rebuilt in collaboration with Loyola design students and Kendall’s family. The tree serves as both a tribute and a gathering space – symbolizing creativity, remembrance and community connection.
Bloom Fest 2026 will feature a variety of interactive and creative experiences:
- Kendall Tree Memorial: Attendees can gather at the tree and receive copies of “A Soul Under Construction,” a collection of Kendall’s writing.
- Creation Stations: Hands-on activities will include screen printing, collage, bookbinding, poetry writing and jewelry making.
- Live Readings and Performances: Students will share original written work, and perform music inspired by Kendall’s life and creative spirit.
- Fest Stage: Musical performances by student artists celebrating creativity and community.
- Mental Health & Addiction Awareness: Informational resources and outreach opportunities promoting awareness, support and dialogue.
- Food and Refreshments: Food will be provided by Empanola, along with drinks including Capri Sun, filtered water and sparkling water.
Through its interdisciplinary programming, Bloom Fest is a space where creativity and compassion flourish side by side, emphasizing art as a tool for healing, reflection and personal growth.
Bloom Fest is supported in part by the Kendall Collective Internship Program, which engages students each semester in designing, planning and producing the annual event while developing creative and professional skills.
For more information, follow the Kendall Collective on Instagram at @kendall.collective.
About the College of Music and Media
The College of Music and Media is comprised of two schools — the School of Music and Theatre Professions and the School of Communication and Design. Students who choose to study in the college prepare for careers in music, theatre, music industry, graphic design, motion design, UX design, filmmaking, strategy, mass media and more.