Brick City Gallery Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Art and design department announces summer gallery schedule

June 12, 2025 by Reynolds College

This summer, Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design invites audiences to experience two powerful exhibitions exploring identity, storytelling and underrepresented histories.

The exhibitions are on view at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and Brick City Gallery.

Summer program celebrates fourth year

Now in its fourth year, the department’s summer programming continues its mission to showcase diverse voices and emerging talent through thoughtfully curated visual arts exhibitions.

“Our core summer audience is pretty open minded and excited to see our exhibit spaces try new things and explore new ideas,” said Jodi McCoy, Director of Exhibitions. “While our summer audience is smaller, our summer exhibits have been featured in national reviews. They’re a bit of a hidden or emerging gem.”

At the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center

The 2025 MFA Thesis Exhibition opened May 27. This event is the capstone showcase for Master of Fine Arts graduate students.

Next, “Let Me Tell You a Story: Gathering Our Roots to Find Belonging” opens June 21. MFA candidate Olga Shute co-curated the exhibition. It features six Latin American artists whose works explore heritage, memory and identity through storytelling.

“As we got deeper into planning with these particular themes of identity, it became very important to me to make intentional space for the voices of the artists to speak rather than have a heavy curatorial hand,” McCoy said.

Carolla Arts Exhibition schedule

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

April 17, 2025 by Reynolds College

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.

All School Exhibition finds temporary home at Missouri State’s Brick City Gallery

February 28, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design will host the Springfield Art Museum’s annual All School Exhibition Feb. 28-April 6.

The exhibition is on view Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12-4 p.m. at the Brick City Gallery.

Showcases for middle and high school students are Friday, Feb. 28 from 5:30-7 p.m. The elementary school student showcase is Saturday, March 1 from 12-3 p.m.

Major renovation in the works

The Springfield Art Museum is using Brick City’s gallery space this year while it undergoes an expansive renovation ahead of its centennial anniversary in 2028.

Key improvements include a new west entry with an expanded lobby and visitors’ lounges, an east façade with high-ceiling gallery and the Family Learning Center with hands-on art-making activities. The renovation aims to enhance visitor experience and further showcase the museum’s role as a hub for creativity and education.

Celebrating a Springfield tradition

The All School Exhibition has been a Springfield tradition since 1932. By hosting the All School Exhibition, Missouri State supports that tradition through its commitment to fostering the arts and supporting community talent.

The exhibition celebrates the creativity of K-12 students and the hard work of talented area teachers. Families, friends and art enthusiasts are invited to view these exceptional works free of charge.

For more information on the All School Exhibition, contact the art and design department at 417-837-2330 or visit the Springfield Art Museum’s website.

Brick City Gallery, located at 215 W. Mill St, Springfield, MO 65806, is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Colorful mixed media image of girl with in field — Emilia Leighton, Cowden Elementary, “All About Me,” mixed media collage; Kara Risner, teacher.

Artwork on display at the All School Exhibition

Mia Whitney, Glendale High School, “Beta Fish,” pen and ink; Mrs. Blackburn, teacher.

Gulzada-Isayeva, Hillcrest High School, Graphic Design, screen print on t-shirt; Heather Weter, teacher.

InWorks fill both sides of the Brick City Gallery.

Malakai Lyles-Bowman, Cherokee Middle School, Self Portrait, Procreate digital print; Mr. Mostyn, teacher.

Salome Dordal Lujano, Mann Elementary, “Sweet Red,” still life; Mrs. Henningsen, teacher.

Sculptures, mixed media works by multiple students across district high schools.

Tynlee Mattix, Truman Elementary, “Snorkel Self Portrait,” watercolor; Mrs. Aubra George, teacher.

Photos provided by Vonda Yarberry.

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.

Annual Foundations Exhibition on view Jan. 27-Feb. 14

January 31, 2025 by Reynolds College

The Department of Art and Design announces its Annual Foundations Exhibition is now on view at Brick City Gallery. The exhibit is available Jan. 27-Feb. 14 and during the First Friday Art Walk Feb. 7, 6-9 p.m.

Three dimensional artwork in brown tones — One of the student artworks on display at the Annual Foundations Exhibition.

The exhibit features the work of students enrolled in the department’s foundation courses. These courses, which include 2D Design, 3D Design, Drawing I and Introduction to New Media, are mandatory for all art, design (studio) and art education majors and minors.

Selections reflect variety of assignments

The annual exhibition highlights student projects that were curated by their art and design instructors. The instructors choose works that best represent the variety and scope of assignments in their classes.

Art and Design Foundations Coordinator Megan Frauenhoffer explained that the artworks “focus on formal studies of the elements and principles of art and design while also giving students a wide variety of media to learn.”

These pieces reflect the students’ progress in mastering fundamental art concepts while exploring different techniques and materials, she said.

Fall 2024 BFA in Art Senior Exhibition on view through Dec. 9

November 22, 2024 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design will host the Fall 2024 BFA in Art Senior Exhibition Nov. 18-22 and Dec. 6-9 in the Brick City Gallery. The exhibit will end with the First Friday Art Walk Dec. 6 from 6-9 p.m.

The Fall 2024 exhibition showcases the dedication and creativity of art and design’s graduating seniors. Visitors can engage with artworks from a wide range of disciplines, including drawing, sculpture, metals, new media and photography.

The department invites the public to join them in celebrating the achievements of these talented artists.

The Brick City Gallery is located at 215 West Mill Street. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Program transforms students into artists

“This group has a unique mix of interests and goals, which is reflected in the variety of media and themes in their work,” said Sarah Williams, professor of art and instructor for the BFA Studio Art capstone course. “For many, this is their first major exhibition, making it a truly pivotal moment in their artistic careers. It’s inspiring to see them bring together everything they’ve learned over the past years.”

Williams explained that the capstone experience is designed not only as a culmination of the students’ academic journey but also as preparation for future professional or personal growth. Students develop skills beyond their studio practice, such as time management, financial literacy and understanding the logistics of an exhibition, she said.

“This course helps them transition from being students to emerging artists ready to contribute to the world,” Williams said.