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Thesis Exhibitions on Ball State’s campus give students an opportunity to express and promote themselves

MUNCIE, Ind.---After taking just a few steps into the Ned and Gloria Griner Art Gallery, viewers are immediately emerged into a unique and inclusive world of art.

The first exhibit entitled, “A Foreboding Future! The Endangered Crafts: A Masters Thesis Exhibition by Jack L. Christeon III,” features a variety of art mediums including sculptures, audio and signage.

The symbolism and unity of Christeon’s work, explained via exhibit label and written word, can be found near the gallery’s front desk.

One Ball State student expressed why a certain piece named “Who Cares” captured his eye the most.

“It exemplifies how people who are coming of age are starting to not care anymore…they just don’t care about other people’s opinions and how it affects them,” said Remy Boulais.

As a form of expression, art is open to many interpretations and can be used on any occasion.

One of Ball State’s Senior Drawing Majors spoke on how she, personally, uses art to express and escape.

“I sometimes make art about what is going on in the world. [The] last piece I just finished was about the war in Ukraine and Russia…and kind of how it’s affecting us in the U.S., other times I use [art] to completely escape,” Allison Smiley said.

In the gallery’s second exhibit, “House Dreams," Natalie Lowe chose to use physical structures and lighting to showcase the expectations and lives of people raised in a suburban environment.

Lowe’s detailed floating houses and large street lamp seemed to catch multiple people’s attention.

The student art exhibition is open to the public until Friday, April 15.

Contact Teagan O’Meara with comments at teagan.omeara@bsu.edu.