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BFA in Art Senior Exhibition now on view at Brick City Gallery

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Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design announces the BFA in Art Senior Exhibition is on view at the Brick City Gallery.

The exhibition is open April 22-May 2 and ends with the First Friday Art Walk May 2 from 6-9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a range of artworks, including drawing, sculpture, metal work and new media.

The event is free and open to the public.

Artwork on display in exhibition
Some of Paige Lenahan’s drawings on view at the exhibition.

Brick City Gallery provides a venue for graduating seniors to display pieces that showcase their dedication and creativity in their chosen artistic disciplines. Faculty members Sarah Williams and Jodi McCoy guided the exhibitors through the BFA Studio Art capstone course toward what could be their first major art exhibition.

Artistic painting in pink, purple and red hues.
Detail of one of Megan Aiello’s paintings “We’re Going to Need a Bigger Band-Aid.”

Williams described the showcase as a “pivotal moment” in the students’ artistic careers, as it represents more than just the culminating experience of the BFA in Art program. It also creates for students a solid foundation for professional and personal growth going forward.

The exhibition educates beyond studio practice, Williams noted. It encourages “the development of professional artistic practices such as résumé construction, artist’s statements, preparation and installation of an exhibition and development of exhibition proposals.”

Every artist must complete the core program coursework, but no two students will produce the same work, according to department head Vonda Yarberry.

“This may be obvious to some people, but the underlying purpose of the degree is to help students to develop their unique ‘voice,’” Yarberry said.

“That is what makes these senior exhibitions incredibly exciting.”

Row of artistic figurines
Closeup of Ayo Oyedeji’s work, on view in the exhibition.

Spring 2025 Exhibitors

Megan Aiello, Painting
Mikayla Buneta, Computer Animation
Jadyn Frey, Drawing
Cora Hill, Photography
Eli Houzenga, Computer Animation
Gavin Ichrist, Photography
Alexa Lambton, Painting
Paige Lenahan, Drawing
Hallie Lueking, Photography
Melissa Marrs, Painting
Chaise McCollum, Photography
Natalie McNeill, Computer Animation
Olivia Michaelson, Photography
Erinayo Oyedeji, New Media
Tim Pease, 3D Studies
Elisa Peters, Painting
Adrian Pham, Computer Animation
Gracie Potter, Drawing
Josh Riethmeier, Computer Animation
Jeanne Welch-Kurdle, Photography
Mindy Welland, Photography
Faith Wenzel, 3D Studies
Aly White, Computer Animation

Come celebrate the achievements of these hardworking seniors and see how passion, creativity and talent can build an astounding showcase for these emerging artists.

Brick City Gallery is located at 215 West Mill Street. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Email the gallery for more information.

Explore the BFA in Art program

Photos courtesy of Department of Art and Design.

News edited by the Reynolds College Communications Team.

Sam Barnette is a writer for the Department of Art and Design. She holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Missouri State’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film and is working toward an MS in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling at Truman State University.

“Collaboration” reveals hard work and big dreams of Missouri State dance students

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Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance wraps up the 2024-25 season with its annual Spring Dance Concert.

Titled “Collaboration,” the concert continues this year’s theme of “Connection.” It will feature a variety of both student and faculty choreographed performances.

This year’s concert is coordinated by Associate Professor of Dance Azaria Hogans.

Evening showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 24-26. Matinee showtime is 2:30 p.m. April 27. All performances will be held in Coger Theatre in Craig Hall.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with an MSU ID.

Purchase tickets

Collaborating to connect

Using an interdisciplinary approach, the concert emphasizes connecting dance with different disciplines, Hogans said. “Every work that will be on the stage has some element of interdisciplinary exploration. This ranges from collaborations with animators to costume construction to STEM concepts and processes.”

Hogans is excited about how audiences will experience the performances.

“Even if an audience member does not know a lot about dance, they will be able to appreciate the interdisciplinary connections made in this concert,” she said. “[They] will be able to see concepts, ideas and maybe even themselves represented in the works.”

[Read more…] about “Collaboration” reveals hard work and big dreams of Missouri State dance students

Kids Donation Drive for local center runs through April 14

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Kenzi Seay, a senior criminology and criminal justice major, has organized the Kids Donation Drive in coordination with the Greene County Family Justice Center (FJC).

Seay is collecting donations until April 14. The organization is asking for toys, books or children’s hygiene products.

Collections boxes will be available across campus until April 7. A collection box will remain in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice main office (Strong Hall, Room 207) until April 14.

But even after April 14, people can still help out.

“The Family Justice Center is always collecting donations for victims of domestic violence,” Seay said. “They also have volunteer opportunities, if you’d like to help in a hands-on way.”

Public affairs mission in action

According to senior instructor Caryn Saxon, the Kids Donation Drive was entirely Seay’s initiative and serves as an excellent example of Missouri State’s public affairs mission.

“I could not be more impressed and proud of Kenzi’s work on this,” Saxon noted. “She observed a problem, created a solution and then took action to make her vision a reality. Through her efforts, she is spreading awareness about FJC while also giving others a way to contribute to their mission.”

Seay volunteers at FJC and also interns with its partner agency, Legal Services of Southern Missouri. She began volunteering in October 2024 and started her internship in January 2025. Her duties include answering phones, clerical work and intake interviews.

“It’s a really interesting experience working as both an intern and volunteer in different parts of the building because I am able to see the process from start to finish in different roles,” she noted.

[Read more…] about Kids Donation Drive for local center runs through April 14

Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

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Missouri State University’s Department of Political Science and Philosophy will once again host its “Conversation Series” April 9 with “Trump’s America: A Nation at a Crossroads?”

The event will begin at 4 p.m. in Glass Hall, Room 101, with refreshments served at 3:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

Civil conversation between a Democrat and a Republican

Map of American with crossroads in the middle

Two influential authors and educators, a Democrat and a Republican, will discuss Donald Trump’s electoral victory and presidency. What does it mean for, and about, America, and why did he win?

The two speakers will conduct a civil conversation based on their knowledge of, and long experience in, American politics. [Read more…] about Political Science and Philosophy department’s Conversation Series continues April 9

Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Blue Stockings” April 3-6

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Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance continues the 2024-2025 season with its production of “Blue Stockings.”

Professor Sarah Wiggin directs the turn-of-the-century period piece, written by Jessica Swale.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. April 3-5 and April 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with an MSU ID.

All performances will be held in Coger Theatre Craig Hall.

Get tickets

Play explores historical moments

Set in 1896 England at Cambridge University’s Girton College, “Blue Stockings” is the story of four female students. Cambridge was a pioneer in offering university-level education to women.

In 1896, though, while women could be educated, they could not earn a degree. The play’s young heroines hope to change that.

Consequently, “Blue Stockings” explores a powerful moment in the history of women’s education. As the woman suffrage movement takes place in the background, the women struggle to gain acceptance among their male peers while confronting their own insecurities.

“The play emphasizes the value of education and encourages audiences to think critically about societal structures and injustices,” Wiggin said. “It challenges audiences to reflect on the progress made in women’s rights while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done.”

Tackles themes with humor

With humor and authenticity, the play addresses themes such as equality, education and fighting for one’s beliefs. “I hope the audience will be pleasantly surprised by the comedy in a play tackling such serious subject matter,” Wiggin said.

Meanwhile, although the stage setting is minimalist, “the costumes are period (1896) and should be quite stunning,” she added. “The cast is doing excellent work, and I am very excited to see all the elements come together.”

Reflecting shared dreams

Wiggin believes audiences will find the themes in “Blue Stockings” to be relevant and universal.

“Despite being set in the past, the play raises issues that resonate with contemporary struggles for gender equality and access to education,” she said.

“I expect the audience will see that the kinds of dreams the characters have are shared by them: love, education, a place to belong.”