The collegiate fine arts experience presents a unique opportunity for intense self-discovery. As students learn to express themselves through media, their voices move heart and mind in the common search for meaning. Aquinas College fosters this atmosphere of creative excellence, particularly within the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program. In particular, three BFA graduating seniors will present their artistic visions in the BFA Exhibition that opens on April 6, 2014.

Distinct from the traditional art major, the BFA program offers a rigorous, seventy-credit experience, wherein students are expected to pursue both major and minor areas of focus. The program attracts students from a variety of backgrounds, yet all share the love of artistic pursuits. Dana Freeman, Associate Professor of Art, explained that students “develop a certain personal voice in their work, which is usually some combination of visual and conceptual elements.”

Providing an inside perspective on the program, senior Alexis Johnson said, “you get much more studio time, and a lot more one-on-one time with professors. I know all of my art professors in such an intimate way, which would not have been possible outside of the BFA program.”

Near the completion of their degrees, BFA students participate in a final thesis exhibition, approved by Art Department faculty, which will encapsulate the summation of students’ fine arts experience. “When an artist is asked to put together an exhibit,” Freeman said, “the venue wants to see something that is cohesive, something you’re doing now, that’s been done in the past year or two. It helps to flesh out your ideas. Therefore, with the upcoming BFA show, we don’t want it to be a retrospective. We want it to present their mature work with a coherent theme.”

Lesley Albert, another senior in the program, described the exhibit as a sort of capstone experience for the BFA program. “It’s a way to showcase what we’ve become throughout our years here,” she said. “When you start here as an art student, you have the basics and are essentially doing the same things as your classmates. However, then you begin to slowly come into your own as an artist.”

Displaying such artistic development, this year’s exhibition features three outstanding senior students: Lesley Albert, David Besteman, and Alexis Johnson. Each artist embodies a variety of styles and experiences, which they hope the College community will come to know and appreciate through their exhibit.

Johnson, for example, uses oil painting - either on wood or canvas - to depict abstracted landscapes and houses of thought-provoking nature. “Right now,” she said, “my paintings are extremely based upon color. There is some conceptual basis for it, but it’s really all about color and form, as the basis of art itself. I’m from Flint originally, so the subject of all of my paintings in the show will be abandoned houses. So there’s a conceptual tie to my history, seeing those houses as part of my childhood.”

Likewise, Albert has embodied an emotional style of abstraction in her paintings. “It metaphorically shows the parts of who we are,” she said. “It has a very dark feel to it, but sometimes we can look past the struggles and see that they’re actually beautiful aspects of life we often overlook. I really try to focus on the ugly, the disgusting things in our lives that can actually be good...I want people to feel something.”

In another style of abstraction, senior David Besteman uses paint and photography to innovate with form. “I’m experimenting a lot with abstract expression,” he said, “which is all about technique, showing your hand. But at the same time I’m moving towards realism; I’m trying to paint like the older masters. So, the paintings are not photographic, I still show my hand in the work, but there is a definite realism about it.”

With these diverse talents in mind, Freeman would like exhibit visitors to understand the breadth and quality seen in BFA work. “I hope people will see the point the students have matured to in our program,” she said. “I hope they’re excited, inspired by it! I think the students are really excited for people to come see their works. I hope people will come for the students’ sake, but leave surprised and impressed.”

Looking at her contribution, Albert believed that this kind of exhibit can be tied to the idea of service. “We start off with a God-given gift to draw, to paint, to have a creative mindset, and we are using these talents and gifts to give back. It’s so heartwarming to see peoples’ reactions to works.”

Likewise, Besteman hopes that viewers will grow to appreciate his modern take on classical ideals. “When people come to see my work,” he said, “I hope that the idea of experimentation is brought out, the idea that you don’t have to be like artists of the day, that it’s okay to be different. I feel that well done art is generally appealing, and I hope they see that there are still artists who consider their art a craft.”

Moving forward from the BFA program and exhibit, the students reflected upon how this experience will impact their futures, carrying their success beyond Aquinas. “The end result isn’t even the prize,” Johnson said, “it’s the journey leading up to it, finding out what I can do as an artist. The learning process is so vast, so fast, and you get so much out it. I’ve benefitted so much in the last month, but I can’t wait until the final product.”

Similarly, Besteman emphasized the business dimension of the show, how it enables students to have a foretaste of the professional world. “We learn how to present ourselves to galleries, for sure,” he said. “The art world is definitely a business. The way we’re doing the exhibit is very organized, and you begin to realize that it’s much more than creating the actual artwork. You need to learn how to pitch, how to network.”

Reflecting upon her time in the BFA program, Albert hopes that others are inspired to follow a similar path and look into the program. “I remember being so scared to apply,” she said, “but it’s been the greatest experience. You grow so much in what you love to do, what you’re passionate about, so you don’t have anything to lose!”

The BFA Exhibition will be held in the Arts and Music Center Gallery from Sunday, April 6 to Sunday, May 11. The show will be closed for Easter Break (April 18-21). >Gallery Hours