Carolla Art Exhibition Center Archives

BFA in Design Senior Exhibition now on view at Carolla Arts Exhibition Center

April 30, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design announces this semester’s BFA in Design: Professional Design Practicum Exhibition is on view at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

The exhibition is open April 28-May 9 and includes the First Friday Art Walk May 2 from 6-9 p.m.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Capstone course features client-based projects

This capstone exhibition features the individual projects, portfolios and client-based projects of graduating seniors in the BFA in Design program.

Projects range from branding and marketing materials to digital media and product design and graphic novels, reflecting the diverse interests and skills of the Spring 2025 cohort.

Most of the clients who worked with the students are small business owners, but some are institutional, coming from local museums, non-profits, churches and artistic or musical initiatives.

As part of the practicum, students present self-promotional materials, including business cards, portfolios and branded merchandise, alongside real-world design solutions developed in collaboration with clients.

Exhibit wall displaying design projects — More projects from the 2025 BFA in Design exhibition now on view.

Associate professors Jacek Fraczak and Cole Closser teach the practicum course. They emphasize student engagement and interaction with clients, including communication, project management and creative problem-solving.

“The first long-term assignment is a real-life professional experience, when a student needs to find for themselves an existing client expressing the needs in the domain of graphic design or illustration,” Fraczak explained. “The clients may be local, regional or even international. Students have worked for clients from Saudi Arabia, Canada, Mexico, Slovakia and Germany.”

Senior graphic design major Mckenna Johnson said working with real-life clients was both exciting and motivating.

“It pushed me creatively as I worked to create a full brand identity from scratch,” she noted. “With strict deadlines, I had to communicate clearly, manage my time effectively and stay focused to deliver a final product that both my client and I were proud of.”

Annual Juried Student Exhibition on view March 7-April 4

March 13, 2025 by Reynolds College

The Department of Art and Design’s Annual Juried Student Exhibition (AJSE) has returned this spring to celebrate the creativity and achievements of students across the department.

The exhibition is on view March 7-April 4 at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

A special First Friday Art Walk event will be held April 4 from 6-9 p.m.

Professional exhibition experience

The AJSE gives students an opportunity to present their work in a professional gallery setting, gaining valuable experience in the exhibition process. This showcase highlights a range of artistic practices, fostering engagement with the broader art community.

“The annual juried exhibition is an excellent chance for the public to see some great work by our students, but it’s also an excellent learning opportunity for our students to practice their skills in applying for exhibition opportunities, preparing professional-level documentation of their work and ideas,” explained Vonda Yarberry, art and design department head.

Potential exhibitors must submit an application. They also undergo formal, expert jurying.

“Not all students who apply will have their work accepted,” Yarberry said. “But all students will have the opportunity to understand how the process works and will be able to practice skills they are learning in the classroom.”

Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award

The Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award will once again be presented in honor of its namesake, a former student whose passion for the arts continues to inspire. This prestigious award recognizes the most outstanding work in the exhibition and celebrates students’ artistic excellence and innovation.

Sustainability meets creativity with Radical Jewelry Makeover Exhibit

February 3, 2025 by Reynolds College

The Department of Art and Design has teamed with the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center to host the Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM) exhibition Jan. 27-Feb. 21 and the First Friday Art Walk Feb. 7, 6-9 p.m.

The RJM exhibition is free and open to the public. All pieces on display are for sale.

Telling new stories with old jewelry

The exhibit features reimagined jewelry created by students and local jewelers, highlighting the combination of artistry, sustainability and community engagement. By showcasing the transformation of old, donated pieces into stunning new designs, this inspiring project advocates for sustainable and ethical jewelry-making practices.

Working together, students and local jewelers repurposed donated jewelry into meaningful pieces to tell new stories. This hands-on process also included tracking donor information to distribute discount coupons for the January sale of the final designs.

“This initiative highlights one of the project’s core goals: ensuring that donated materials return to the world in a new form,” said Jina Seo, art and design faculty member who is overseeing the RJM project.

New exhibits at Carolla and Brick Galleries highlight art and nature

August 29, 2024 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design is currently hosting two exhibits that offer a fresh perspective on our relationship with the natural world through sculpture, acrylic and watercolor.

“This Land,” an exhibit by Stacey Holloway and Steve Snell, explores the dynamics between humans and the natural environment, while Matt Moyer provides a unique take on mechanical artifacts and systems in “Artifacts.”

“This Land” is open for viewing at the Robert and Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center Aug. 19-Sept. 13. Hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

“Artifact” is available for viewing at Brick City Gallery Aug. 26-Sept. 20. Hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Both exhibits will also be open during the First Friday Art Walk Sept. 6 from 6-9 p.m.

Snell and Holloway exhibits present “playful dialogue” on nature

Describing his art as reflecting a lifelong fascination with nature and adventure, Snell said he draws inspiration from his explorations along the Missouri River.

“All of the animals except the wolf come from going down the Missouri River,” Snell said. His work is meant to transport the viewer into his experiences, he added, whether it’s the quiet moment of a coyote’s stare or the vibrant life along the river’s edge.

As Snell puts it, his work aims to tell stories that “inspire others to write their own stories,” reflecting a collaborative narrative that extends beyond gallery walls.

In contrast, Stacey Holloway presents a complementary exploration of the natural world, often focusing on animals and their interactions with humans, according to Deidre Argyle, sculpture professor at Missouri State.

The interplay between Snell’s watercolor landscapes and Holloway’s sculptural animals provides a thoughtful and playful dialogue that invites viewers to reflect on their own relationships with nature, Argyle noted.

Sculpture of two rabbits — One of Stacey Holloway’s sculptures on view in the exhibit.

Art and Design calling for donations of old jewelry through Sept. 16

August 27, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design wants your old jewelry.

In a recent press release, the art and design department announced the “Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM): MSU” project. This is a community jewelry mining project dedicated to repurposing old, unwanted jewelry into new pieces.

During the Fall 2024 semester, students from Missouri State and area professional jewelers will collaborate with the University of Kansas to transform donated pieces into new jewelry.

The project will conclude with two traveling exhibitions. Missouri State’s Carolla Arts Exhibition Center will host one exhibit Jan. 27-Feb. 21, 2025. The other exhibit will be on view Jan. 21-31, 2025 in the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery at the University of Kansas.