Capstone Exhibition opens Dec. 12

Chas Hyman, “Paradise,” colored pencils and oil pastel on paper, 46” x 46”.
Chas Hyman, “Paradise,” colored pencils and oil pastel on paper, 46” x 46”.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Art, Art History & Design will present the work of graduating undergraduate students in the Fall 2022 Capstone Exhibition.

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 exhibition will be on display in the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery from Dec. 12-16. A closing reception will be held on Friday, Dec. 16 from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery with awards being announced during the reception.

A digital presentation of Capstone projects will also be available beginning Dec. 12 at http://unlcapstone.com. Viewers will find a page for each student that contains information on their personal research, as well as links to further information such as websites, CVs, social media handles, and more.

The following 17 students are participating in this year’s Capstone exhibition, listed with their hometowns:

Studio Art: Tiffany Agee, Ashland, Nebraska; Elisa Dorsey, Fremont, Nebraska; Chas Hyman, Laurinburg, North Carolina; Maggie Nava, Omaha, Nebraska; and Jamie Reigert, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Graphic Design: Jackson Brehm (hometown not available); Paige DeBrie, Lincoln, Nebraska; Rachel Dempsey, Omaha, Nebraska; Anna Dimig, Omaha, Nebraska; Sam Fergen, Lincoln, Nebraska; Maddie Gaukel, Omaha, Nebraska; Madeleine May, Lincoln, Nebraska; Ben Meiergerd, West Point, Nebraska; Ryan Meyer, Omaha, Nebraska; Emily Pietrzak, Omaha, Nebraska; and Vera Vetsalo, Lincoln, Nebraska.

“It has been a pleasure getting to know this unusually small class of studio art students over the semester as their Capstone instructor,” said Hixson-Lied Professor of Art Dana Fritz. “Each of them has been working with their faculty mentor in their respective studio area to develop a body of thesis work for the Capstone exhibition. Their work spans painting, drawing, printmaking and photography and is based on the diverse personal experiences of each student, often touching on themes of family, childhood, tradition, loss, social and emotional challenges, and navigating early adulthood. We are delighted to exhibit this work alongside the graphic design students in the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery this semester.”

Pietrzak, a senior graphic design major from Omaha, said the Capstone Exhibition is a critical part of their education.

“The Capstone project gives designers the opportunity to really show what we can do in our specific areas of interest,” she said. “My project, ‘Don’t Waste,’ is an immersive movie theater experience that shows the dangers of food, plastic and textile waste. This semester, I’ve gotten the chance to push myself to see how far I can take this project.”

The Eisentrager-Howard Gallery is located on the first floor of Richards Hall at Stadium Drive and T streets. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery hours for the exhibition are Monday-Friday, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Follow the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery on social media via Instagram @eisentragerhoward to stay apprised of any updates for the Capstone exhibition.