Senior art exhibitions mark a rite of passage for UK students

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April. 3, 2026) — When University of Kentucky art studio major Sarah Reed was rediscovering a collection of notes while cleaning out her childhood bedroom, she also discovered what the theme of her senior exhibition would be. 

“Finding those letters led me to reflect on how tangible objects preserve moments in our lives,” she said.  

This exhibition marks a pivotal moment to showcase the inspiration and growth that has accumulated over the years that led these seniors, such as Reed, to the creation of their final work. 

Reed is one of 50 art studio and digital media design students in the UK School of Art and Visual Studies who will present their senior exhibitions April 24-28 in the Bolivar Art Gallery.  

Titled “Sincerely, Sarah”, Reed’s exhibit takes the form of a series of envelopes, each representing a year of her life, containing a letter, photograph, physical keepsake or quote card. 

In addition to the unintended inspiration she found cleaning out her room, she said she was also inspired by the nonlinear storytelling in a 2019 Chris Ware exhibit titled “Building Stories.” 

“This work reveals pieces of my story gradually as viewers interact with the envelopes in any order,” Reed said.  

Reed added that her exhibit emphasized tactile materials and sensory engagement, inviting audiences to touch, see and experience the work while reflecting on the objects and memories that shape their own personal histories.” 

Through this exhibition, Reed is one of many students showcasing creativity and unique narratives. Students of the Bachelor of Fine Arts will have two separate exhibitions to showcase their work. The first dates include April 2-3 at the Bolivar gallery and the second exhibition will be April 24-28, also at the Bolivar gallery.

Vincent Williams, a senior in the bachelor of fine arts program, has a piece in that show titled “ Brain-Matters.” He said each work in the piece reflects ideas generated in a person’s brain that are important enough to be put on paper.

“It is also a call to other artists to realize that their own thoughts matter,” he added.

Williams said his passion for creativity began when he was very young, and was nurtured by his mother and brother, who are both artists. 

“I wouldn't be going to the University of Kentucky for art if it wasn't for my early childhood interest in the arts being encouraged by my family,” he said.

The work in Williams’ exhibit is sharp with exaggerated proportions. He emphasizes pushing the limits and experimenting with new materials whenever he can. Williams wants his final project to inspire all who see it. 

“I think my biggest hope for this exhibition is for it to motivate other artists — or people who may not consider themselves artists — to let go and make as much as they can,” he said.

Doreen Maloney, a professor in the School of Art and Visual Studies, said the exhibitions are a complete educational experience for the seniors, and it’s not just about the artwork. 

“In senior seminars, students discover that finishing a piece is only half the work,” she said. “The rest happens in the hanging, the framing, the moment a stranger stops to look. It can feel daunting, but it’s also a rite of passage. For many, it’s their first true encounter with an audience and the first public expression of their unique voice.”

For these students, the exhibition marks the beginning of their work's visibility outside of the studio, making it more than just a final project. 

For more information on the exhibitions and for Bolivar Art Gallery hours, visit the gallery webpage at finearts.uky.edu/savs/facilities/bolivar-art-gallery.