Nov. 5 was a day of triumph for the five studio art undergraduates displaying artistic creations spanning their college careers at the Studio Art Capstone Exhibition.

Bachelor of Fine Arts students participate at the end of the semester in which they graduate, while Bachelor of Arts students take part during the last fall semester of their undergraduate studies. BFA students show a cohesive body of work, while BA students select works of various mediums and themes from across their academic studies. For both degree paths, the exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate their work with family, friends and the Cowboy family.

The ongoing exhibition brings together pieces including charcoal drawings, woodcuts, sculptures and oil paintings. From dramatic ceramics exploring themes of femininity to interactive sculptures encouraging viewers to spend time outside, the artwork represents years of dedication.

“It's really cool to see everything come to fruition and to have the people I love see the stuff that I love doing,” said Jillian Hobbs, who displayed paintings, drawings and ceramics at the exhibition. “We've been working our college career for that.”

This show comes at the end of the studio art capstone class, where students gained skills and learned strategies to be successful in the art field after graduation. From writing grant applications and practicing giving artist talks to preparing to apply for graduate school, students in the class prepared to enter the professional art workforce.

“We are extremely interested in ensuring they have every tool in their possession,” said Liz Roth, a professor in the art department and the class instructor. “They have to write about the work that gets put up in their show. They have to write a bio. They have to understand what gets put up in their show. There's a very close relationship between their classwork and their professional safety.”

The exhibition is an extension of this preparation to pursue studio art professionally. It signals the progress the artists have made since they began at Oklahoma State University.

“When students take their artwork out of the studio, put it in a professional situation and have it lit and arranged by a professional, they suddenly see their work in a new way.” Roth said. “It gives them a real sense of the relevance and importance of their art. It’s visible evidence of their accomplishment.”

The reception was a well-earned celebration of the unique preparation and practice that comes with earning a degree in studio art. For the artists, growth has been a defining factor of their college careers.

“I have had the best time at OSU,” said Amy Smith, a Bachelor of Fine Arts student who specializes in ceramics. “My professors have absolutely indulged anything that I have expressed interest in. It's been a very inclusive and thorough program. I feel like I'm a much better artist for having been here and completed my degree.”

The exhibition is on view in the Gardiner Gallery of Arts until Feb. 5. The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and Saturday by appointment.

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Story By: Adrienne Frye | Adrienne.frye@okstate.edu