BFA, MFA exhibits at McDonough through Dec. 12

The work of a dozen Youngstown State University students who earn their bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts this fall, as well as an exhibit from a master’s degree student that explores racism in America, are featured at the McDonough Museum of Art Nov. 20 through Dec. 12.

The Fall Graduating BFA exhibit includes works in the areas of photography, graphic+ interactive design and interdisciplinary studio art from the following students: Taylor Campy, Lexi Chismar, Elijah DuPonty, Ben Kerr, Brendon Lucas, Sulerach Rose Rivera, Hannah Roberts, Angela Rodino, Kim Schilling, Christian Steff, Taylor Valerio and Alaina Woofter. In addition, work from two students in the Spring 2020 BFA class will be included in this exhibit: Michaela Best and Michelle Gabriel. Due to the pandemic, Spring 2020 BFA exhibit was cancelled.

Also in the Museum galleries is Venise Abell’s master’s of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition entitled “Black Still.” Abell is an interdisciplinary visual arts major, a Youngstown native and a 1984 graduate of Youngstown South High School.

“Racism and inequality are influential factors in my narratives,” said Abell, a Youngstown native and 1984 graduate of South High School. “My work educates the viewer on the insidious ways the government has, over the last 400 years, passed laws that degraded, devalued and murdered Black Americans. Many Blacks fled the south to the north with expectations of a better life but soon painfully realized that there was no escape from racism. We are Black Still.”