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"Connecting the Dots" showcases work across a wide range of media, highlighting the expansive creative approaches developed by students as they complete their undergraduate studies. Rooted in personal experience, the exhibition reveals shared themes of memory, the body and environment, while demonstrating how artists move beyond a single medium to build visual narratives.

“Working across multiple mediums allows meaning to shift and expand,” said Aviva Groys. “Simple elements such as color or texture can transform a piece entirely. My work is deeply connected to femininity and the powerful female role models in my life.”

Sarah Stanton described her practice as a way to process memory and family history. “Some pieces recall specific events, while others evoke a general sense of feeling. Preserving memories through color and glass helps me navigate family dynamics and how they have shaped me.”

According to Anderson Turner, director of exhibitions and collections, the B.A. Studio Art Capstone Exhibition reflects the program’s emphasis on exploration. “Students are encouraged to work across media and express themselves without specialization. Exhibiting their work is a milestone comparable to wearing a cap and gown.”

About the Artists

• Abby Pappas is a seasonal daycare teacher and senior at 51�Թ��� pursuing a B.F.A. in Art Education and a B.A. in Studio Art. Her work explores universal themes through figure and abstraction, with an emphasis on experimentation and learning.
   
• Aviva Groys is a sculptor and B.A. student whose practice centers on hands-on construction and material-driven decision-making. Their work examines how objects exist in space and how people interact with them physically and emotionally.
   
• Lana Becker is a third-year student focused on painting and narrative-driven imagery. Their work uses loose mark-making and vivid color to explore themes of institutional corruption.
   
• Lydia Oleskiewicz is a senior B.A. Studio Art student and psychology minor. A multidisciplinary artist, she uses art as a way to process emotions and everyday experiences, emphasizing connection and healing.
   
• Ben Maurer is a B.A. Studio Art student working primarily with glass and metal. His work employs physical literary devices to communicate narratives across language and cultural boundaries.
   
• Sarah Stanton, from Northeast Ohio, works across 2D and 3D media, exploring themes of fantasy, childhood and nature. She plans to graduate with a B.A. in Studio Art in December 2026 and previously participated in the Brumbaugh Scholars Program.
   
• Alexa Valverde-Romero was born in Latin America and raised in the United States. Her work examines immigration, identity and cultural exchange between the U.S. and Latin America. She is pursuing a B.A. in Studio Art and a B.S. in Hospitality Management.
   
• Mary Case is a junior pursuing a B.F.A. in Art Education and a B.A. in Studio Art, with minors in art history, painting and ceramics. Their interdisciplinary practice explores empathy, communication and connection through form and gesture.
   
• Kylie Anderson is a senior B.A Studio Art student whose work spans painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture and glass. Her work often explores childhood, memory and trauma in relation to nature and animals.

About the Gallery

The CVA Gallery is the main School of Art gallery, located on the first floor of the Center for the Visual Arts, 325 Terrace Drive, Kent, Ohio. Admission is free.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday–Thursday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Saturday–Monday: Closed

The closing reception will be held April 16, 2026, from 4–6 p.m.

www.kent.edu/galleries/galleries

Contact: 
Professor Taryn McMahon 
Email: tmcmaho5@kent.edu 

About the School of Art
51�Թ���’s School of Art is one of Ohio’s leading visual arts programs, offering undergraduate degrees in art education, art history and studio art, as well as graduate degrees in studio art and art history. The School of Art brings together expert faculty, diverse studio disciplines and a strong liberal arts foundation within Northeast Ohio’s vibrant arts community.