Makeshift Ruminations: Work from Forty Years in Ceramic Art by Keith Ekstam
Jan. 20 – Feb. 20

“I am committed to clay as my primary art making material for many reasons. It is simultaneously one of the most fragile art media, yet also one of the most permanent and enduring. The simple, direct act of working with clay in one’s hands is the polar opposite of the complex, transformative nature of the kiln firing. I am certain that these opposing but vital characteristics are what drive me to choose this material. You get your money’s worth when working in clay.

“During my career as an academic artist and educator, I found that there was a symbiotic relationship between my art- making and teaching. My creative research experiences, knowledge and processes were constantly being presented to the students at all levels within the curriculum. I had the privilege of teaching and working with many talented students throughout my thirty-seven years at Missouri State. To provide an alumni invitational portion for this exhibition, I asked some of these former students to show examples of their creative work. These are some of the many individuals who have maintained serious careers in the ceramic arts in one form or another. I hope the viewers will enjoy the strength and diversity of the work made and chosen for exhibition by these alumni artists.”

—Keith Ekstam

 

Annual Juried Student Exhibition
March 6 – April 10

The Annual Juried Student Exhibition features work from the breadth of our department’s undergraduate and graduate students. Juried by Atlanta-based artist and curator, and a faculty member at Georgia Gwinnett College, Alice Stone Collins, this exhibition also continues the legacy of Mark J Hall with the Mark J Hall Best in Show Award, in addition to many other monetary awards.

Mark J Hall Best in Show
Brianna Mote, Sunday Afternoon at Grandma’s

Best Graduate
Violet Austerlitz, Recipe for an Epiphany/It Takes a While

Best Undergraduate
Madalynn Hackleman, Left to Rot

Best Freshman
Cal Benedicto, Mundanities of the Captain

Best 3D
Maddie Ashworth, Shadow Puppet Lamp

Best Painting
Betty Sue Wiles, The Id and Ego

Best Drawing
Tristin Hansen, Still Life

Best Photography
Abigail Barr, Tenebris Lucet

Best Metals/Jewelry
Jules Riddle, Open Ring

Best Animation
Mad. B, Fish in a Birdcage

Best New Media
Layla Maurer, This Time it’s Different

Best Illustration
Anna Hanson, Golden Key

Best Graphic Design
Tina Claussen, Wild Goose Chase Board Game

Best Art Education
Emma Souser, A Clockwork Heart

BFA in Design: The Professional Design Practicum
April 27 – May 8

Every semester, the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center is pleased to host an exhibition of work by graduating students from the Department of Art and Design. The spring exhibition showcases the talent and skill of students who have spent years developing a design practice that will carry them into their professional careers.

Emily Armbruster, Charley Bennight, Kailey Bradshaw, Madison Brown, Aurry Cannon, Ha Anh Cao, Charles Carter, Maya Cohen, Evelyn Costello, Mason Hudson, Gavin Ichrist, Halle Johnson, Jenna Johnson, Shelby Kindhart, Diana Kosinska, Darian Kuckelman, Jaden Lohmeyer, Ellie Mallett, Shelby McDonald, Addison Miller, Hannah Murdock, Claire Nemac, Hallie Osborn, Michelle Palumbo Lins, Jillian Plymell, Faith Rice, Megan Rogge, Cal Scheible, Niki Taylor, Mikayla Ward, and Clare Weaver.