This Is Not A Student Show

This Is Not A Student Show, featuring work by 13 soon-to-be graduates of CIA’s Visual Arts programs, will be on view from Friday, May 13 to Saturday, June 4 at Bonfoey Gallery in downtown Cleveland.

The exhibition includes the following members of the Class of 2022: Ewuresi Archer, Makenzie Byerley, JJ Elsass, Paxton Enstad, Liana Gonzalez, Eliza Karp, Meg Lubey, Howe Fun Lye-Starks, Lucian Mordecai, Jay Peperone, Alyssa Radakovic, Xander Ristofski and Sebastian Schenz. These artists majored in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture + Expanded Media.

Artwork in this exhibition will be diverse in terms of processes, materials and perspectives. The work explores a variety of themes, from homoeroticism and the LGBTQ+ community to immigration and cultural identity. In fact, several artists comment on identity, both cultural identity and gender identity, using art as a contemplative and therapeutic process to cope with feelings of marginalization and representation. The works reflect each artist’s innate qualities and experiences, but are also intentional in how they depict the message the artists spent the past four years cultivating.

The wide variety of artwork and themes allows for interesting juxtapositions within the exhibition. One can see work representing the ordinary next to work that explores the absurd and imaginary, or small-scale depictions of mundane items next to whimsical panoramic paintings. It is a beautiful occurrence to see all of these pieces live together in one space. The exhibition is not one to miss.

An opening reception with the artists will be held from 3 to 6pm Friday, May 13 at Bonfoey Gallery. Visitors must RSVP by phone at 216.621.0178 or by email at gallery@bonfoey.com. Self-pay valet is available from 4 to 6pm. Convenient parking lots are also available nearby.

With This Is Not A Student Show, Bonfoey Gallery hopes to support emerging artists in the Cleveland area. Thus, a portion of the gallery’s proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to CIA’s Visual Arts programs.

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