UCM Art & Design Presents Two New Exhibitions, Opportunities to Engage With Art

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Gallery of Art and Design presents a pair of new exhibitions, the SVPA Faculty Exhibition and the UCM Juried Alumni Exhibition, open from Sept. 30 to Oct. 26.

The SVPA Faculty Exhibition is an annual event showcasing the creative research of faculty members in the School of Visual and Performing Arts (SVPA). Artists in the show include Maryana Adelman, Mark Farris, Robert Breshears, Natasha Hovey, Melanie Johnson, Jamie Platt, Marco Rosichelli, Justin Shaw, Andrea Simon, Susan Stevenson, Katie Watson, Rahila Weed and Matthew Zupnick. This year’s exhibition will also feature the work of two emeriti faculty members, Mick Luehrman and his father, Richard Luehrman. 

 

Examples of artwork by UCM art faculty members.

The art faculty members at UCM are a dynamic group of artists involved in a range of artistic practices, including ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, textiles and sculpture. The works in the show include examples of each of these disciplines as well as mixed media pieces, handmade books, comic books and cyanotypes.

“The Faculty Show brings faculty together in a way that is really about who they are as artists and who they are collectively,” Gallery Director Jamie Platt said. “It is a unique way to experience the atmosphere at UCM. The energy you experience in the show is the hum of the engine driving the school.”

Katie Watson, a new Illustration faculty member, will give a talk as part of the Kleppe Visiting Artist Lecture Series at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30 in Wood Building Room 100. The gallery will host a closing reception from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23. Both events are free and open to the public.

While viewing the faculty show, be sure to check out the UCM Juried Alumni Exhibition, which brings together artwork by a group of 46 Art and Design alumni who graduated between 1988 and 2023. Every Art and Design major is represented among the show's artists. Visitors will see 59 works of graphic design, illustration, sculpture, ceramics, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, textiles, video, performance art and accessory design. 

The UCM Juried Alumni Exhibition, the first event of its kind for the Gallery of Art and Design, is the creation of Melanie Johnson, professor of Painting and chair of the Division of Art and Design. 

“One of the truly rewarding aspects of being a part of the Division of Art and Design at UCM has not only been witnessing generations of alumni succeed as professional designers, artists and educators but also knowing that their experience at UCM serves as a connecting point for lasting friendships and the formation of new relationships,” Johnson said. “The exhibition honors the impressive accomplishments of our alumni, and demonstrates to our current students and community the standard of professional excellence held by our graduates.” 

 

Artwork created by UCM Art and Design alumni.

The School of Visual and Performing Arts invites alumni and the public to an alumni celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 to coincide with the exhibition. The open house event starts at the Art Center with a reception for the Juried Alumni Exhibition, self-guided tours of art studios, a raffle for UCM faculty artwork, drop-in figure drawing and other hands-on activities. From there, get backstage tours of the Highlander Theatre and the Utt Building. Refreshments will be served. 

Pre-registration is available for $30, which includes two drink tickets and supports the Division of Art and Design. Admission without drink tickets is free. 

For members of the public looking for artistic opportunities, Artist-in-Residence Hannah Lindo will offer two workshops in October for anyone 18 and older.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, she will lead a free Plein-Air/Airplane Painting Workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UCM’s Skyhaven Airport. Painting experience is not required but is recommended. Sign up now.

From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, Lindo is the guest instructor for Gallery Grownups, an exhibition themed “crafternoon” modeled on the popular series, “Gallery Kids.” For $5, participants will get materials, instruction and treats. Pre-registration is required. 

The UCM Gallery of Art and Design is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Platt at gallery@ucmo.edu or 660-543-4498.