The BFA in Art Senior Exhibition is a once-a-semester tradition celebrating the artistic achievements of students graduating from the department. As this semester comes to a close, a fresh group of graduating seniors finalize their time as undergraduate students with capstone projects. The BFA in Art Senior Exhibition is on view November 28–December 9 and is open for First Friday Art Walk December 2 from 6–9 p.m.
Associate Professor Sarah Williams has led this group of seniors through their senior exhibition class (ART 499). Sarah shares what the exhibition means for students, and what viewers can expect:
It’s been a pleasure working with this group as they finalize their bodies of work for the BFA Exhibition.This exhibition will be an excellent example of what can come from pursuing personal artistic goals through hard work and dedication in the studio. The viewer will see a range of materials, techniques and applications including painting, sculpture, photography, and animation. The common thread in the exhibition is the confidence in which these seniors use the visual language they spent their time here at Missouri State learning and refining in order to express the things that are significant and meaningful to each of them.
This semester’s exhibition features artwork by the following students:
Jake Bradley, Joe Duggar, Erin Hillery, Connor Holt, Jasmine Hutton, and Kassidy Watts.
For some, preparing for the senior exhibition brings about an opportunity to reflect on their time as a student. Joe Duggar, who is graduating with an emphasis in 3D studies/sculpture, is incorporating a variety of materials and techniques he has studied while at Missouri State into his final project. His project includes sculptural design, ceramics, digital fabrication laser-cut techniques, and natural materials. When asked what advice he would offer current students, Joe emphasizes a fearless and persistent mindset, “Work hard at all you do and never let fear keep you from learning. The best things in life will always challenge you the most.”
For other students, inspiration comes from their life outside of Brick City. Kassidy Watts, graduating with an emphasis in painting, is exploring whimsical moments of childhood through a mixed-media project that includes traditional paintings and a built representation of her childhood home. “My inspiration for my artwork comes from experiences. Currently memories and the fleetingness of them inspires me. I’m interested in how they’re twisted, warped, forgotten or even amplified,” Kassidy shares. Inspiration may come from her past, but more recent memories from Kassidy’s college years have had their own significance, “One of the most important things I learned while studying at Missouri State has to be how important it is to give it your all. I came here just for the degree, but I’m leaving with experiences and connections larger than I could’ve imagined.”
Brick City Gallery is located at 215 W. Mill Street, Springfield, MO 65806. The gallery can be visited Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Call 417-837-2330 for additional details.
Taylor Ladd is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art + Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University with professional interests in writing about art, culture, and food.