Cleveland Institute of Art students feature works on clothing and garments in the exhibition WORN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2025

CLEVELAND—Thirty-eight students from the Cleveland Institute of Art are eager to present WORN, a multidisciplinary, student-curated exhibition celebrating the versatile nature of clothing, garments, and accessories.

The work in WORN showcases a wide range of conceptual and physical explorations of what is, was, and can be worn. WORN invites the viewer to consider the relationship between clothing and memory, as well as how clothing can shape their worldview and future experiences. This exhibition has encouraged students to experiment with concepts and interpretations they may not normally consider.

WORN is on view from April 17 through April 27, 2025, at Transformer Station at 1460 W. 29th St., Cleveland, Ohio 44113. Viewing hours are Thursday through Sunday between 3 and 9pm. A closing reception will be held Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 3 to 6pm.

The exhibition features media ranging from drawings, paintings, and sculptures to photography, fiber art and emerging media, all made by CIA juniors. In addition to creating these works, students managed all aspects of organization for the exhibition, including curation, the creation of all marketing materials, the production of a show website, didactics, and installation of the exhibition.

Participating artist Izzy Thomas says, “I think a lot of us are into showing off clothing and fashion in our work already, especially with trend cycles becoming faster with the influence of social media. I think this theme has given us a chance to slow down and focus on the details of our work physically and conceptually in really new and fun ways. We have a large class this year compared to other years, and this theme has made it possible for all of us to showcase our abilities and varying aesthetics in a way that still pertains to similar ideas. Everyone wears clothing, and therefore has some sort of association with it; this means any viewer has the opportunity to relate to and appreciate what we’re showcasing.”

Participating Artists: Nicole Alvarez, Ray Askew, Emze Bahney, Owen Britt, Ashton Burton, Brody Burton, Gwen Canfield, Sebastian Chironi, Emmy Corsaro, Bianca Curry-Naguit, Amina Daoud, Brianna Fairbrother, Skylar Fleming, Finn Fuehrer, Lillian Gomez, Morgan Hartrich, Madison Hennessey, Frankie Jablonski, Jeffrey Kirby, Yasmeen Kwan, Audrey Magdics, Claire Miles, Nadia Miller, Kat O’Hara, Jazzy Palma, Anna Patterson, Julie Peterson, Theadis Reagins, Grace Robin, Lay Rogers, Gabrielle Rossetti, Christopher Sitney, Via Spieker, Madison Stutzman, Izzy Thomas, Samantha Vacca, Camron Wright and Sage Zargari.

To learn more about the partnership and exhibition, please follow students' progress on Instagram at @worncia.

WORN is the capstone exhibition from CIA's “Role of the Artist as Producer” course taught by Sarah Kabot, Sarah Paul and Zoe Brester-Pennings. Students majoring in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture + Expanded Media curate and develop a group exhibition that embodies the work within an artist's professional practice. Students collaboratively execute this project while practicing professionalism and gaining knowledge useful to working artists. The experience also exposes the students and their work to Cleveland’s arts community.

Contact

Cleveland Institute of Art
Michael C. Butz, Director of College Communications + External Relations
mcbutz@cia.edu / 216.421.7404

Cleveland Institute of Art

The Cleveland Institute of Art is a private, nonprofit college of art and design that has been the training ground for countless students who have gone on to make important contributions to the fields of creativity and innovation since it opened in 1882 as the Western Reserve School of Design for Women. Its students have designed internationally recognized products, their artwork has been exhibited in major museums and private collections around the world, and their entertainment media has been enjoyed by audiences and game players for generations. It enrolls about 600 students nationally and internationally and has a faculty of about 100 full-time and adjunct members, all of whom are practicing artists, designers and scholars.

Transformer Station

Transformer Station is a vibrant center for the visual and performing arts, where the Cleveland Museum of Art presents the work of emerging artists, time-based media, live music, and dynamic social experiences in Ohio City’s Hingetown neighborhood. Transformer Station is open from Thursday through Sunday, 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Some events require a ticket; please check the schedule for ticket availability or closure due to private events.