Visual art students' thesis exhibition the culmination of creative exploration

LAWRENCE – The M.F.A. students in the Department of Visual Art have spent the last three years in rigorous studio and academic work exploring various media, generating creative research and shaping their artistic vision. It all will culminate in their thesis exhibitions opening Sunday, March 6.

“The thesis exhibitions are an opportunity to showcase the distinct voices, artistry and creative capacity of this incredibly talented group of graduate students,” said Norman Akers, associate professor and director of graduate studies in visual art. “Exploring and experimenting in the various studio areas available is just one of the strengths of the Department of Visual Art at KU. You’ll see through the diverse body of work M.F.A. students will present how they were inspired by many different art forms.”

The M.F.A. thesis exhibitions will be featured in the Art & Design Gallery, third floor of Chalmers Hall. The exhibits will rotate Sundays through April 15 with closing receptions Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibitions are free, and the public is welcome.

The following are the exhibiting M.F.A. students and the dates of their shows.

• Richard James, Bloomington, Indiana, ceramics, “Square Halo (s),” March 4-18
• Eddie McKenna, Park City, Utah, drawing/painting, “Desire to Hold,” March 20-25
• Mark Raymer, Denton, Texas, printmaking, “Wild Yonder,” March 20-25
• Carrie Beall, Deale, Maryland, expanded media, “Hard to Say,” March 27 – April 1
• Trish Nixon, Topeka, painting, “Pleasure Pusher: Explicit Images,” March 27 – April 1
• Jason Zeh, Kansas City, Missouri, expanded media, “Asynchronous: Voice & Body,” April 3-8
• Shelby Burchett, Liberty, Missouri, textile/fibers, “Goo-Witching: Hydromancy,” April 10-15
• Lopeeta Tawde, Stillwater, Oklahoma, metalsmithing, “Lucem Ferre,” April 10-15

Chalmers Hall is at the northeast corner of 15th Street and Naismith Drive. Visitor parking is available at the Allen Fieldhouse Parking Garage, 1501 Irving Hill Road.

The Department of Visual Art is one of four departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.

Photo: Student Richard James puts the finishing touches on his project for the upcoming Department of Visual Arts' thesis exhibition series.