The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Art, Art History & Design will present the work of graduating undergraduate students in the Spring 2024 Capstone Exhibition this May.
This biannual experience is held at the end of the fall and spring semesters and presents the work of each semester’s graduating Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) seniors in studio art and graphic design as a culmination of their coursework and exploration.
The studio art exhibition will be on display in the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery from May 10-17. Gallery hours are May 10-11 and May 13-16 from noon to 5 p.m. A closing reception will be held on Friday, May 17 from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery with awards announced during the reception. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public.
The graphic design exhibition will be on display May 13-16 in the Nebraska Union’s Centennial Room. Hours are May 13-15 from noon to 5 p.m. and May 16 from noon to 7 p.m. A closing reception will be held on May 16 from 5-7 p.m. with awards presented at 5:30 p.m.
The following students are participating in this year’s Capstone Exhibition:
Studio Art: Seth Alnwick (painting), Shelby Baker (sculpture), Robert Billig (painting), Kayla Bolich (printmaking), Karli Christofferson (drawing and printmaking), Nora Fitzsimmons (printmaking), Julia Homan (drawing), Margo Johnson (sculpture), Ju Ju (painting), Natalie Leininger (painting), Mya Miller (ceramics), Kenzie Roberts (drawing), Patrice Roubidoux (painting) and Abigail Zagotta (painting).
Graphic Design: Jordan Anderson, Billie Andrews, Payton Becwar, Paige Bezhold, Morgan Bilstad, Andrea Boswell, Emily Bray, Weinan Chen, Sandy Cortez, Han Doan, Bella Galindo, Averie Harley, Gabrielle Huff, Leo Huse, Mohamed Hussain, Delani Lyle, Hayley Manzer, Emily Meng, Jena Nelson, Makenna Parker, Kait Potter, Nguyen Quynh Chi Pham, Leah Rathe, Carlee Riddle, Frances Rodriguez-Caraballo, Kylie Rung, Riley Schneider, Johnny Sloboth, Dylan Stanek, Helena Tran, Valeria Uribe, Madelyn Waltman, Zachary Weinmaster and Breanna Zoubek.
“This show shows the support and community we have experienced during our time at Richards Hall,” Zagotta said. “The accumulation of learning every media and having someone there to help us through each step has helped me and my colleagues make the work we make today.”
Miller said there is a high quality of work that will be on display in the exhibition.
“I am looking forward to seeing all of the amazing work my classmates are creating and know that it will be an emotional and inspiring experience to see it all put together in the Capstone Exhibition,” she said. “I am excited to present the culmination of what I have learned in my time at UNL. I have grown as an individual, an artist, and a maker.”
Anderson said the Capstone Exhibition is an opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in their time at UNL.
“It gives us the freedom to invest in avenues we haven’t explored and further define our individual styles as designers,” she said. “I was able to try out new ways to push my use of illustrations in designs, creating 3D effects and using animation to highlight the duality of destruction and creation. I really look forward to seeing everyone’s work and how their styles have evolved through this process.”
Homan said the exhibition shows the unique talents of the graduating students.
“Our amazing community has put their best selves forward to showcase their talents and their growth leading up to graduation,” she said.
Ju Ju said participating the exhibition is an opportunity for students to showcase their work.
“As a person who once lived in a refugee camp, I could never have imagined that in my life, I would be pursuing my love for art in a community filled with so much support and incredible talent, that it’s beyond imaginable,” Ju Ju said. “It is such a blessing to have this great opportunity to be in the Capstone Exhibition with such amazing artists, and I can’t wait for anyone and everyone to see the magnificent artworks.”
Bolich said her work drew inspiration from creating work in Richards Hall directly across the street from Memorial Stadium.
“My work is a small collection that compares and contrasts the elements of being an art student versus an athlete,” she said. “My pieces will show the difference in things as simple as the audience and the facilities to presenting ‘Our Grit’ and ‘Our Glory’ of being a Nebraska Husker.”
Rodriguez Caraballo appreciates the experience of the Capstone Exhibition.
“This class has helped me grow and explore new programs and mediums,” she said. “The experience of this class has helped me realize how far I’ve grown since when I first started designing.”
Leininger said the exhibition is a culmination of their work.
“This Capstone is a big achievement for all of us because of the hard work and emotion we have poured into our work,” she said. “We may all be creating such different forms of art, but everyone is cheering for one another, and it is a special achievement for us as a community of artists.”
The Eisentrager-Howard Gallery is located on the first floor of Richards Hall at Stadium Drive and T streets. The Nebraska Union is located at 14th and R streets.
Follow the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery on social media via Instagram @eisentragerhoward to stay apprised of any updates for the Capstone exhibition.