FSU Department of Art

06/05/2026

Recent & upcoming exhibitions of Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Lilian Garcia-Roig! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Lilian Garcia-Roig is included in several significant traveling group shows starting with, “Let Us Gather In A Flourishing Way”, curated by Andrea Alvarez, at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, New York. This show explores contemporary Latinx artists’ innovations and interventions within established traditions of painting, inviting discussion on a variety of themes and revealing the diversity and expansiveness present within the field. The fifty-eight artists in the exhibition—and those in the Latinx field more broadly—encourage us to interrogate the continued relevance of boundaries, from political borders to disciplinary confines. Inspired by former U.S. Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera’s poem “Let Us Gather In a Flouring Way”, the show celebrates abundance and presents a vision of Latinx art that is, like the diaspora itself, infinitely complex.

It runs March 6 - September 6, 2026, and will be followed by a national tour including presentations at the Des Moines Art Center, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, the Phoenix Art Museum, and the Frye Art Museum, Seattle. Exhibition catalog available.

The second major traveling group show is “Imagining An Archipelago: Art From Cuba, Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Their Diasporas” , curated by Jessamine Batario, at the Colby College Museum of Art, Waterville, Maine. Connecting generations across oceans, the exhibition presents approximately fifty contemporary artworks by more than forty artists. The physically and visually immersive presentation brings together paintings, sculptures, videos, prints, photographs, and multimedia installations—including several newly commissioned, site-specific works—that explore artists’ relationships to the histories and communities of their lands and seas. Uniting the works are themes of cultural and political self-determination, indigeneity and migration, and climate crisis and resilience.

More at art.fsu.edu (News)

06/03/2026

From Canvas to Stage: Michaela Meyer’s Career in Scenic Art! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

From painting immersive environments for Disney and Epic Universe to contributing to productions at Yale and the Santa Fe Opera, FSU alumna Michaela Meyer (BFA Studio Art, BA Religion, 2023) has quickly built an impressive career in scenic art. Since graduating from Florida State University, Meyer has combined technical mastery, creative problem-solving, and a passion for large-scale visual storytelling to bring theatrical and experiential worlds to life. We recently caught up with Michaela to discuss her journey from FSU to some of the nation’s most prestigious production environments, the skills that prepared her for success, and her advice for current art students considering careers beyond the traditional studio. 

FSU Painting & Drawing Area Head and Professor Carrie Ann Baade recently interviewed Michaela Meyer, FSU Art BFA alum (’23). Their conversation is documented below.

1. Looking back at your time at Florida State University, what experiences, courses, or faculty mentors most shaped your development as an artist?
There were so many impactful experiences I had during undergrad, but the most artistically significant one was my thesis project. The training leading up to it was extremely thorough. I found the beginning of my voice and the direction that I wanted to take my art as a result. Jeff Beekman, my major professor for my thesis, gave me a lot of confidence in my ideas and encouraged my ambitions. Carrie Ann Baade, the head of the program, helped me to go deeper in my thinking. I felt very equipped to pursue art by the time I graduated because of it.

2. Scenic painting is a fascinating extension of traditional studio practice. When did you first realize that theatrical design and scenic art might be part of your path?
For my thesis project, I was thinking about the sublime and decided to create an immersive landscape painting that was 14.5’ x 9’.…

More at art.fsu.edu (News)

05/26/2026

Recent FSU Art Alumni MFA Milestones!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

We are thrilled to celebrate the continued success of our FSU Art alumni as they pursue advanced study at some of the nation’s leading graduate programs in art.
 
Congratulations to the following alumni on completing their MFA journeys:
 
* Ashley Jordann Krieger (BFA ’21) — Corcoran School of the Arts & Design at George Washington University, Class of 2026
* Zachary Dobbins (BFA ’21) — School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Class of 2026
* Angelica Neyra (BFA ’22) — Maryland Institute College of Art, Class of 2026
* Serena Corson (BFA ‘19) — Louisiana State University, Class of 2026
* Cole Hancock (BFA ’21) – University of Tennessee Knoxville, Class of 2026

These remarkable achievements reflect the ambition, talent, and dedication of our alumni, and the strength of the creative foundations built at Florida State University. We are incredibly proud to see our graduates continuing to shape the future of contemporary art, scholarship, and creative practice.
 
Go Noles!

05/21/2026

Last Friday, the reception of “residual heat” took place at Co-curated by Stephanie Rowe, Audrey Lendvay, and Professor Carrie Ann Baade, “residual heat” considers what remains after an action, an experience, or a process — traces of material, gesture, memory, and transformation. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and interdisciplinary practices, these artists engage questions of presence, change, and duration, revealing how meaning persists beyond its initial moment. Together, the exhibition presents a cross section of emerging artists whose practices reflect both individual inquiry and shared concerns within contemporary art. Residual Heat offers a space to consider the lasting impact of creative work and the ways in which images, objects, and ideas continue to resonate over time.

Residual Heat features work by Audrey Lendvay, BFA; Stephanie Rowe, MFA; Bell Horner, BA; Phu Nguyen, MFA; Casey Jewett, BA; Rob Clifton, MFA; Joseph Jean, BA; Pim Ruby, MFA; Keziah Navarro Vazquez, BA; Benjamin Bio, MFA; Hayden Hults, BFA; Antonia Pretelt, BFA; Caleigh Pressley, BFA; Julia Stephens, BFA; Crim May, BFA; Audrey Femia, BFA; and Kim Springs, MFA.

This exhibition will be on view until June 13th. Be sure to stop by the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in the Munroe Family Community Gallery, 13 N Madison St, Quincy, FL 32351 to check it out!

05/19/2026

FSU Art Students Selected as Finalists for Atlantic Center for the Arts Exhibition!
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

The Florida State University Department of Art is proud to celebrate the recognition of two outstanding students, Audrey Lendvay and Rose E. Wharton, who were selected as finalists for the 36th Annual University Student Exhibition at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

This year’s exhibition was juried by Ryan McGinness, an internationally recognized artist whose work is included in the permanent collections of institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. McGinness is known for transforming the visual language of signage, symbols, and contemporary iconography into complex paintings, installations, and sculptural works.

McGinness remarked that he was deeply impressed by the quality of work submitted by artists nominated from colleges and universities across the region, making the selection of finalists particularly competitive.

The nine finalists selected for exhibition are:
Caleb Considine, Rose E. Wharton, Angelina Elisa Bernard, Destiny Doss, Bridgit Luisa Espinoza, Charis Cochran, Audrey Lendvay, Heloisa Bienes Chalom, and Melissa de Paula Oliveira.

Both Audrey Lendvay and Rose E. Wharton have developed compelling studio practices that demonstrate conceptual depth, technical sophistication, and distinct artistic voices. Their inclusion in this exhibition highlights the strength of emerging artists within FSU’s Department of Art and reflects the department’s continued emphasis on ambitious research, experimentation, and professional development.

Audrey Lendvay’s work explores landscape and machines as inseparable systems, each defined by finite resources and a limited capacity to absorb human intervention, while Rose E. Wharton’s practice is driven by material exploration and understanding.

05/12/2026

“residual heat" at Gadsden Arts - opening this Friday (5/15), 5-7pm!

You are warmly invited to attend "residual heat", the 2026 FSU 2nd Biennale Student Exhibition at the Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in the Munroe Family Community Gallery.

residual heat brings together selected work from MFA, BFA, and BA students in the Florida State University Department of Art. The exhibition highlights a wide range of approaches across media, reflecting the depth and diversity of contemporary studio practice at FSU.

The works in this exhibition consider what remains after an action, an experience, or a process — traces of material, gesture, memory, and transformation. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and interdisciplinary practices, these artists engage questions of presence, change, and duration, revealing how meaning persists beyond its initial moment. Together, the exhibition presents a cross section of emerging artists whose practices reflect both individual inquiry and shared concerns within contemporary art. Residual Heat offers a space to consider the lasting impact of creative work and the ways in which images, objects, and ideas continue to resonate over time.

Congratulations to those BA, BFA, and MFA's who were selected by our curators:

Residual Heat features work by Audrey Lendvay, BFA; Stephanie Rowe, MFA; Bell Horner, BA; Phu Nguyen, MFA; Casey Jewett, BA; Rob Clifton, MFA; Joseph Jean, BA; Pim Ruby, MFA; Keziah Navarro Vazquez, BA; Benjamin Bio, MFA; Hayden Hults, BFA; Antonia Pretelt, BFA; Caleigh Pressley, BFA; Julia Stephens, BFA; Crim May, BFA; Audrey Femia, BFA; and Kim Springs, MFA.

Curators: Stephanie Rowe, Audrey Lendvay, and Carrie Ann Baade

Exhibition Dates: March 28 – June 13, 2026

Reception: Friday, May 15, 5:00–7:00 pm

Gadsden Arts Center & Museum in the Munroe Family Community Gallery

13 N Madison St, Quincy, FL 32351

We hope you will join us for the reception onFriday, May 15, and celebrate these remarkable artists with friends and family.

05/04/2026

The Department of Art is celebrating four undergraduate students who have been awarded Florida State University IDEA Grants for Summer Research in 2026! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ These grants offer up to $6,000 to students in any major to fund their self-designed work on a topic, project, problem, artistic product or performance, or other entrepreneurial or creative idea.

2026 Department of Art Idea Grant Recipients

Edith Santos (Mentor: Assistant Professor Alena Mehic) will explore immigration through interviews with individuals who have crossed the U.S.–Mexico border. Translating migrant stories and lived experiences into painting, her work addresses themes of displacement, resilience, and identity through a socially engaged lens.

Anna Garufo (Mentor: Associate Professor Meredith Lynn), will expand her studio practice through field-based research centered on environmental observation. Her summer includes a focused study of orchids and the production of a new series of paintings, deepening her engagement with ecology and material sensitivity.

Casey Jewett (Mentor: Professor Carrie Ann Baade) will undertake a month-long residency in his late grandparents’ home in Vermont, investigating memory, domestic space, and care. Integrating painting with performance and maintenance-based practices, his project treats daily upkeep as both subject and method within a larger conceptual framework.

Liana Rieger (Mentor: Professor Kevin Curry), will develop a series of three works exploring unconventional self-portraiture shaped by a transient upbringing. Her project examines identity through states of disconnection and collaborative joy, using theatrical strategies and returning to her childhood home in Hopewell, New Jersey, as a site of reflection.

Winners will present their research in the fall Presidential Showcase at the Union and take part in an exhibition at the FAB Gallery in January of 2027.

04/29/2026

04/23/2026

Florida State University Announces 2026 Excellence in the Visual Arts Exhibition Awards!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

The Office of Undergraduate Studies and the Graduate School at Florida State University are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Excellence in the Visual Arts Exhibition Awards, recognizing outstanding artistic achievement among undergraduate and graduate students.

The Excellence in the Visual Arts Exhibition Awards are given annually to exceptional undergraduate and graduate students whose work demonstrates innovation, rigor, and a high level of artistic accomplishment. Selected by a panel of jurors, these works reflect the breadth of creative research and visual inquiry taking place across the university.

This year’s award recipients include:

BA/BFA Awards
Best of Show: Ricky Blosser, Jade Hejduk
Honorable Mention: Crim May, Riley Galpin, Julia Stephens
People’s Choice Award: Riley Galpin

MFA Awards
Best of Show: Moey Hewitt, Gulzhan Oralova, Denton Shields
People’s Choice Award: Gulzhan Oralova

Together, these artists represent a dynamic range of practices and perspectives, contributing to a vibrant and evolving dialogue within contemporary art. Their work exemplifies the strength of Florida State University’s interdisciplinary creative community and the commitment to excellence fostered across programs.

The artwork of all winners and finalists will be on display at the Honors, Scholars, and Fellows House for one year, from March 2026 through March 2027. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity for the university community and visitors to engage with some of the most compelling student work produced at FSU.

We extend our sincere congratulations to this year’s award recipients and all finalists for their remarkable achievements.

View the exhibition and learn more:
https://hsf.fsu.edu/art-awards

04/21/2026

Alumni Spotlight: Lucia Riffel, FSU Art MFA Alum ’18!

Lucia Riffel has a solo exhibition “a red sun has water in its eye” on view now through August 2026 at The Delaware Contemporary.

Riffel says "the show is a collection of my newest video and installation work that are about the animals in my neighborhood (and beyond), cyclical behavior, engaging in magical thinking, and living through the climate apocalypse".

Exhibition statement:

I started seeing raccoons in July. They would tap on my windows at night and tap inside my walls in the morning. Watching me, sleeping in the room next to me, warmed from the waters I showered in through the thin barrier of the tub. I don’t know what they wanted or what they were trying to tell me, but they wanted to tell me something so badly. I loved them, I feared them, they consumed my thoughts for months. I am both terrified and comforted by how thin the membrane between my life and theirs is. After all, we are both just creatures trying to live.

I am interested in the marks we leave on the world and the marks the world leaves on us. Our existence feels so small layered between an authoritative takeover and ever-growing climate devastation, but I contradict myself, because I find small things to be some of the most magical. We anthropomorphize, we think the raccoons are trying to tell us something (and maybe they are!), we see ourselves in everything, we find meaning in everything. We leave our little marks anywhere we can to signal to the others that we are here, beneath it all. Despite the horrors, we do persist. I often think about someday someone or something seeing our small, mundane, markings of life and knowing “we were here, we were here.”

I made these tiny bits of ephemera to serve as relics of time spent processing, in communion with bits of nature as it exists now, and moments tucked away at the dawn of whatever comes next.