2025 MFA Thesis Exhibitions

University Galleries of Illinois State University will present the 2025 MFA Thesis Exhibitions from March 10 through March 26, 2025. All events are free and open to the public.

2025 MFA Thesis Exhibitions features three simultaneous solo exhibitions by Master of Fine Arts students in Illinois State’s Wonsook Kim School of Art: Kitty Davies, Ilse Miller, and Madelyn Turner-Havens.

The exhibitions are the culmination of the students’ research during their three-year program. In addition to writing a thesis and creating their artwork, each student develops their own exhibition plan, installs their work, and writes their accompanying labels. University Galleries’ staff is also helping two of the students organize and lead public workshops inspired by their artwork. University Galleries is thrilled to partner with the Wonsook Kim School of Art to offer graduating MFA students these opportunities for professional development.

Events and programming
All events are free and open to the public

• Saturday, March 15, from 11:00 a.m. to noon
  Sensory-friendly morning. Visit the galleries before opening hours where you can enjoy dimmed lighting and a quiet space.
  
  
• Saturday, March 19, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
  Independent drawing hour. Spend time looking closely at artworks in the exhibition and drawing at your own pace. Materials provided.
  
  
• Friday, March 21, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
  Art-making workshop with MFA candidate Madelyn Turner-Havens. Create intuitive, mixed-media artworks inspired by Turner-Havens' MFA thesis exhibition. Materials provided. Registration required.
  
  
• Saturday, March 22, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
  Art-making workshop with MFA candidate Ilse Miller. Create a memory box inspired by Miller's MFA thesis exhibition. Materials provided. Registration required.
  
  
• Wednesday, March 26, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
  Closing reception

University Galleries, a unit in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, is located at 11 Uptown Circle, Suite 103, at the corner of Beaufort and Broadway streets. Parking is available in the

Uptown Station parking deck located directly above University Galleries—the first hour is free, as well as any time after 5:01 p.m.

You can find University Galleries on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and sign up to receive email updates through the newsletter. Please contact gallery@IllinoisState.edu or call (309) 438-5487 if you need to arrange an accommodation to participate in any events related to these exhibitions.