Colleen Coleman-
The Gustavus Senior Studio Art majors recently presented their final exhibition: “Sincerely Yours, The Comeback Kids,” a capstone of their artistic careers at Gustavus. The exhibition is now on display in the Hillstrom Museum of Art on the lower level of the Campus Center and will be shown until May 25th. The exhibit displays a variety of artistic styles and themes to bring eclectic and fascinating perspectives.
The nine seniors have worked diligently throughout the year to create their work, with the exhibition showcasing a variety of artistic styles. From watercolor scenes to auditory soundscapes, the work shown travels through many memories, connections, and moments in the artists’ lives. “We have been creating and compiling these works since the beginning of Fall semester of this school year, and going through the lengthy process of critiques and juries of our art pieces,” Senior Studio Art major Anna Pozdnyakov said.
“We chose the title of this show to commemorate the COVID years, of being so isolated and detached from one another. As we started the cooperative back in 2023, we decided to call it ‘The Comeback Kids,’ to highlight that we will take back our year and bring back light to the art department together,” Pozdnyakov said. Pozdnyakov’s work focused on the “unsettling sides of humanity and our self-destructive tendencies throughout our day to day lives,” according to her artist statement. Pozdnyakov’s work showcased in the exhibit is a part of an ongoing personal project entitled Diary Series which is an artistic manifestation of her thoughts, worries, and anxieties.
Senior Studio Art and Art History double major Beck LaCanne focused her work on lost memories and illustrated the deep pangs of nostalgia. Her work draws inspiration from many sources, such as Danish photographer Tina Enghoff, and favorite children’s book authors and illustrators such as Patricia Polacco and Eric Carle. “Overall, I think everybody is incredibly proud of the exhibition – we all felt so professional and were elated to share our work with everyone,” LaCanne said. “A highlight for me was our Press Preview, which was hosted the Friday morning before we opened. It was great to practice pitching our work to Gustavus faculty and professors from other departments,” LaCanne stated.
Senior Studio Art major Olivia Norquist inspired her work on a fresh Minnesota spring, pushing the views to “notice the little moments that make living in the Midwest so beautiful,” according to her artist statement. Norquist’s work portrays the precious aspect of the changing of seasons, and is inspired by local spring plants and landscapes. In the exhibit, Norquist showcases familiar Midwestern scenes, such as an April Snow Shower, and early budding branches.
The exhibit showcases many different perspectives on life and artistic mediums, such as Senior Psychological Science, GWS, and Studio Art triple major Jada Zevenvergen’s sculpture Cow Pants! being a somewhat satirical representation of the public’s response to climate change, and Senior Studio art major Abby Willis’ stoneware collection demonstrating and incorporating the unpredictable aspects of clay and life itself, incorporating text such as I am Fine Stop Asking, and Everything is Perfect, Don’t Worry. The diversity of artistic styles and meanings showcased in the exhibition not only represents the senior artists themselves, but life on campus and beyond.
“I love the studio art community at Gustavus, because of the small size of the major, everyone can get really close to each other. We work together in an art co-op and created the shirts we sold at the show collaboratively,” said Norquist. “We found peace and comfort in one another and were able to finish strong with the tiny community we made and knowing that we are all in this together, and as cheesy as it sounds, it was the only thing that got us through the year,” said Pozdnyakov.
The Hillstrom Museum of Art will be showcasing the Senior Studio Art majors’ final exhibition at Gustavus, “Sincerely Yours, The Comeback Kids” until commencement on May 25th. The exhibit takes the viewers through many aspects of life, society, and culture through numerous artistic mediums. The exhibit encapsulates the nine artists’ time at Gustavus – of diversity, collaboration, and growth.