ISU integrated studio arts seniors to present work in annual BFA exhibition April 21-28

4/20/23

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University seniors in integrated studio arts will share their work April 21-28 in the College of Design’s Gallery 181.

“TBD… (The Exhibition)” will showcase artwork by 15 students who will graduate with a bachelor of fine arts in May or December this year. Each senior submitted from six to 12 pieces, with a total of 150 works to be exhibited.

Hours and reception

Gallery 181 is located on the first floor of the College of Design building on the west side of the Iowa State campus. Viewing hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays. A public reception will be from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, April 22.

All of the students exhibiting work are part of the senior seminar/exhibition course taught by Jennifer Drinkwater, associate professor of art and visual culture. The class teaches students in the final year of their degree program how to professionally exhibit and promote their work.

Drinkwater noted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on her students’ college experience and praised their commitment to becoming successful artists.

“They’ve really taken advantage of every opportunity,” she said.

Lydia Nong, from Urbandale, Iowa, will exhibit paintings, ceramic figures and wood furniture in the show.

Nong uses the human form “as a vehicle to communicate emotions that words simply cannot express,” she said. “My thoughts take physical form to achieve an understanding of the metaphysical strangeness of the collective human experience.”

One of Jonathan Heerema’s featured works is inspired by photographs taken by his father, whom he said has been a mentor and a fundamental part of his growth as a creative.

“’Kaleidoscope’ is a series that began in 2022 when I learned how to manipulate long-exposure photography and transform it into a symmetrical form that focuses on color and form,” said Heerema, from Pella, Iowa.

“I find it crucial to try new techniques and materials and take time to experiment.”

Participating seniors

Paige Carlson, Fairfield, Iowa
Camille Danner, Newport Beach, Calif.
Zoe Filzer, Ankeny, Iowa
Benjamin Gabriel, Davenport, Iowa
Jonathan Heerema, Pella, Iowa
Ren Kilworth, Waverly, Iowa
Joaquim Mabota, Urbandale, Iowa
Lydia Nong, Urbandale, Iowa
Maddison Rath, Algona, Iowa
Lindsey Reyes, Mahtomedi, Minn.
Loren San Elias Martinez, Des Moines
Benjamin Sheckler, Meridian, New York
Audrey Stirling, Des Moines
Grace Yoder, Cedar Falls, Iowa
Jiahoa Zheng, Newton, Iowa

Contacts

Jennifer Drinkwater, Associate Professor of Art and Visual Culture, jd1@iastate.edu
Jonathan Heerema, Integrated Studio Arts Senior, jonaheer@iastate.edu
Lydia Nong, Integrated Studio Arts Senior, ljnong@iastate.edu
Rachel Connell, Gallery Manager, raconn@iastate.edu
Lauren Johnson, Communications Specialist, laujohn2@iastate.edu

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April 20, 2023 12:17 pm