FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Minneapolis College of Art and Design Announces 2016 MFA Thesis Exhibition

Minneapolis, MN—April 11, 2016—The Minneapolis College of Art and Design is pleased to present the culminating exhibition of graduating Master of Fine Arts candidates. Presenting a variety of disciplines including photography, painting, animation, printmaking, illustration, sculpture, performance, and graphic design, the exhibition will feature work by 32 artists and designers. This exhibition is the result of a two-year interdisciplinary journey of intensive research and studio practice. Whether you’re interested in contemporary sculpture and illustration or cutting-edge graphic design, this exhibition will challenge viewers with fresh perspectives and visual structures.

Event: 2016 MFA THESIS EXHIBITION AND RECEPTION Location: MCAD MFA Studios 2201 1st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Gallery entrance on Stevens Avenue side of building Gallery Hours: Saturday and Sunday, May 7–8, 2016, noon–5:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016, noon–5:00 p.m. Reception: Friday, May 13, 6:00–9:00 p.m. Who: Free and open to the public Graduates: Leslie Barlow, drawing/painting

Julie Reneé Benda, print/paper/book

Anna Leigh Biedenbender, drawing/painting

John Thomas Bivens, comic art

Kelsey Bosch, sculpture/media arts

Allison Brown, sound/performance

Kayla Campbell, graphic design

Siqi Cheng, graphic design

Bradley Neil Cook, print/paper/book

Liza Dorsey, drawing/painting

Preston Yates Drum, painting

Andi Fink, photography

Rob Gooding, filmmakingCong Hu, graphic design

Essma Elaine Imady, filmmaking/installationRachel Jennings, painting/installation

ANN BENRUD

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

612.874.3793

ABENRUD@MCAD.EDU

MINNEAPOLIS COLLEGE

OF ART AND DESIGN

25014 STEVENS AVENUE

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55404

MCAD.EDU

Patience Lekien, graphic designQiuwen Li, graphic designKatie Lupton, graphic designMandy Martinson, photographyJohn Matsunaga, photographySarah Faye McPherson, sculptureHeidi Miller, graphic designKathryn Miller, sculpture/drawingAlex Mitchell, illustration/comic artNiky Motekallem, illustrationAmber Newman, graphic designNick Rivers, interdisciplinaryChristopher Selleck, photographyKristin Tipping, comic artEric Yevak, paintingSijia Zhang, graphic design

The MCAD MFA Program is a community of makers, thinkers, theorists, researchers, and creative professionals. Our student body is diverse with a robust international presence. The subject of student-inquiry responds to social, cultural, and professional needs as well as to entrepreneurial opportunities, stretching across art and design practices. Students in the program pursue creative work in a lively, interdisciplinary environment that includes graphic design, printmaking, paper and book arts, painting, photography, illustration, sculpture, drawing, animation, interactive media, filmmaking, comic arts, furniture design, and illustration art.

About Minneapolis College of Art and DesignRecognized nationally and internationally for its innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to visual arts education, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design is home to more than 700 students and offers professional certificates, bachelor of fine arts and bachelor of science degrees, and graduate degrees. Continued

ContinuedMCAD/MFA Thesis ExhibitionDigital images available upon request.

Kayla CampbellAspartame, 2015Mixed media installation

Christopher Selleck Untitled, fighters/fighting series, 2015 Archival inkjet print

Leslie BarlowTwo Grandmas (detail), 2015 Oil, acrylic, charcoal, and photo transfer on panel

Sarah Faye McPhersonWindow Scene, 2015Inkjet print of digital 3D rendering

Cong HuQuiet Chaos, 2016Video still Nick Rivers

Broken Loop, 2015Video still of sculptural performance in MCAD alcove

Alex MitchellWhat Came of Picking Flowers: Page 12,

2015Digital

Essma Imady Heavy, 2015 Performance

Eric YevakComp: 578.1, 2015Inkjet ultrachrome, spray paint, acrylic, and resin on canvas and wood

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