Linnea Noeldner-

Starting on April 5th, 2025, in the Hillstrom Museum on the lower level of the Jackson Campus Center, the Senior Studio Art and Art History Majors Exhibition will be up for display for the month of April and into May. The opening reception is on April 5th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and the closing reception is on May 4th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The Hillstrom Museum is a space where artists can show off their art and has been around since 2000 but recently moved to where it is now in 2023. It showcases the works and pieces of Gustavus scholars as well as other American art within the Hillstrom’s own collection. Their hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

The Museum will be hosting the exhibition where Gusties can come in and talk to their peers about the pieces that they’ve put the time and effort in with the creation, installation, marketing, and overall dedication of their art. 

Nine artists and art historians will be participating in the exhibition: Willa Brown, Rose Han, Mya Hanson, Emma Kirk, Megan Lipke, Kaelyn LoBalbo, Cosette Melton Hanily, Audrey Power Theisen,and Jaina Zillinger. 

The art being displayed will involve many different mediums and variations; they include but are not limited to mixed-media installations, paintings, photography, mixed-media watercolors, historic prints from the Hillstrom Collection, historic photographs from the College Archive and Manuscript Collection, colored pencil drawings, paper sculpture, and ceramics. 

Anyone is able to attend the event, showing up for the artists who spend four years on their craft.  Your support is highly appreciated, and the presence of others beyond the Gustavus art scene is highly encouraged. While art is available in many spaces like cities, schools, and communities, it is not always looked at in a positive light. 

“The arts are notoriously underfunded and under-appreciated, so any and all attendance will be greatly valued,” Senior English and Studio Art double major Willa Brown said. 

“Art is how we share our stories. It is a way for us to express ourselves when words fail. It is a preserver of memory, an advocate for change, a door to new outlooks, an emotional outlet, and a friend when the world is caving in. Art is vital to life, now and always, because it is how we make society just a little better, a little brighter every day,” Fellow Senior English and Studio Art double major Mya Hanson said. 

The Senior Art Studio and Art History Majors Exhibition represents not just a display of talent, but also an opportunity to support and validate the work of young artists who have committed themselves to their craft, often without the immediate financial rewards that other professions might offer.

The reception and display are a celebration of the enduring power of art to inspire, provoke thought, and connect people across time and space. It is a reminder that art is a crucial part of the human experience; one that transcends boundaries and enhances the way we understand and engage with the world around us. Through this exhibition, attendees are not just supporting the work of their peers; they are affirming the importance of the arts in building a more compassionate and thoughtful society. 

“We hope that Gusties ‘feel’ (feel uncertain, maybe even uncomfortable, surprised, joyful, wonder), we hope Gusties ‘learn’ about preservation of art, Swedish Nationalism, intimacy and looking. We hope Gusties walk away feeling connected to each other and to the wider world,” Professional artist and Art Professor Betsy Byers said. 

The value art brings to the table is not necessarily recognized by everyone, but everyone can recognize something in art.  

“Some work is raw, some is delicate, some is informative….the audience will be able to experience a different variety because each artist and art historian brings a unique viewpoint to their work,” Byers said. 

Through this exhibition, attendees are invited to immerse themselves in the vibrant and multifaceted world of contemporary art, connecting with the students who have poured their hearts and minds into their work. The ending of their senior year and the summary of their work through their time at Gustavus is on display, and Gusties are more than encouraged to be present in the efforts of their peers.  

“We want people to come with the intent to support their peers or students as artists and to enjoy all the work we’ve put so much time and effort into these past couple of months. Then, hopefully viewers will stay a while, finding a little serenity in their day by pausing to see some art,” Hanson said.

The event highlights the importance of art as a means of personal expression, as well as a vehicle for social and cultural change. This diversity of styles and themes encourages visitors to look more closely, think more deeply, and feel more profoundly, expanding their understanding of art’s power to shape and enrich our lives. 

“​​In such uncertain times, being able to express yourself is more important now more than ever. Art, like music and writing, is such an integral part of society and needs to continue to be uplifted and celebrated in all facets of life. At Gustavus, students are mostly encouraged to speak their mind and art is always a wonderful way to do so! Having a space for release is super important to myself and the other artists on display; knowing that the viewers are there to support us and our statements we’re making is highly important,” Brown said.

This exhibition offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking for something beautiful, something challenging, or something that just makes you stop and think. It’s an opportunity to experience a wide range of perspectives and reflect on the different ways art speaks to us.