Join in celebrating first year Art + Design students as they present original work in the Foundations Exhibition, showcased at the Student Exhibition Center on historic Walnut Street. Students’ animations, drawings, sculptures, design work, and much more will be on display from now until February 10.
Students sharing their work in this exhibit are all enrolled in the Art + Design Department’s Foundation courses. Within these courses, students gain sturdy building blocks of knowledge, equipping them to choose an emphasis of academic study to concentrate on as they progress in the program. “Foundation courses are designed to prepare students to confidently enter their chosen programs of emphasis with a thorough introduction to and a working knowledge of how the language of visual organization is interrelated across a variety of media,” explains Deidre Argyle, Foundations Area Coordinator and assistant professor.
The choice of presenting students’ work from the foundational courses is an intentional one. “The Foundations annual exhibition […] not only gives the students’ professional development skills and a perspective on what their futures might hold, but it also allows us to assess the strengths of our program and to continue to build upon them,” shares Deidre, “Exhibiting creative works is also a part of many of our students’ career paths, and this exhibit often gives students their first taste of this experience and helps prepare them for future exhibitions in a professional art setting.”
Freshman Siera Richardson has work in the exhibition and plans to apply for a double major in Graphic Design and Illustration, as well as a minor in English. “During my first semester of foundations classes I learned a lot about how I, as an artist approach work,” she explains, “what my reservations were, what my comfort zone was, and how I challenge myself.”
The exhibition provides students the opportunity to reflect and determine which concentrations most align with their talents, interests, and goals. “We feel it is important for students to have time to celebrate,” shares Deidre. The Foundations Exhibition is also open to the public and allows families, friends, and community members to witness the students’ hard work and dedication, as well as learn what the program has to offer.
For freshman Olivia Michaelson, her 2D foundations class was the first art class she had taken in nine years—she has work from this class in the exhibition as well. “I enjoyed it immensely and learned a lot about how shapes and colors fit together, how to create balance in a piece, and new vocabulary to use to analyze both other peoples’ work and my own,” she explains, “I progressed a lot just by observing other peoples’ art and their techniques.”
Students with work in the Foundations Exhibition: Abby Villars, Adriana Hughes, Alyssa Englehardt, Alyssa Farrar, Amelia Talken, Angie Adams, Anna Fernandez, Ashley Runge, Bri Conyers, Caleb Heirs, Carlise Palmer, Charlee Oliver, Codee Mudd, Danielle Gilbert, Dorattya Faa, Dylan Fuller, Eli Johanson, Ella Carreras, Emerald Hoefer, Genne Ohrenberg, Jenna Pavlacic, Jessica Windslow, Jordan Haddock, Joshua Zepeda, Julia McKlin, Kalei Arendell, Karissa Coble, Katelyn Beredict, Katherine Ter Kuile, Kayle Scalise, Kelsey Lewis, Lauren Roberts, Liam Hill, Lizzie Concannon, Logan Smothers, Lora Spinabella, Maddie Minnelli, Madison Harlan, Melia Richardson, Noelle Priest, Olan Zeiler, Olivia Michaelson, Olivia Stone, Paige Prinster, Perla Estrada, Peter Harmon, Rana Umran, Redeemer Heath, Samantha Stoltz, Scotty Bowman, Siera Richardson, Sydney Winkelman, Tim Halcomb, Treyden Williams, and Versaviva Pavlova.
The exhibition is showing at the Student Exposition Center. Address: 833 E. Walnut St. Springfield, MO 65805. Hours: 1pm-6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; Tuesday 2-5pm; and Saturday 11am-5pm. Please wear a mask and practice safe distancing when visiting. Call 417-836-6999 or 417-836-6996 for additional details.