“Braiding Sweetgrass” 2024 by Muskaan Dhingra. Paper, ink, jute. @design.muskaan

Everyone’s college career comes to an end at some point. Some end their time with essays and exams, while others showcase their work for the masses. At the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, senior undergraduates participate in the BFA Show, held twice annually over the Fall and Spring semester. This is their opportunity to show a piece of work, a collection, or a culmination of their art practice.

In fall of 2024, over 160 students had work on display from Nov. 8 to 22 at the SAIC Galleries on 33 E. Washington Street.

At the opening reception on Nov. 9, students filled the space bringing friends, family, and flowers for the artists on show. S Johnson, a student who has been to multiple BFA shows described that every year, there seems to be a common theme that connects all of the students.

“This show, I feel like it’s a little bit more like a permanent archive of people’s personal lives. And then I also feel like people are really returning back to craft,” said Johnson.

Regardless of craft or subject matter, one thing is agreed upon by the student body — the BFA shows are important in many ways.

“It’s important for everyone in every major department, because I feel like we’re all so stuck in our own classes and our own little nooks that when you get to see what everyone else has created, it’s just a big explosion of creativity,” said Muskaan Dhingra (BFA 2024).

Part of the sentiment is also in how students are able to share their work to the public.

“I feel like we are usually in a school academic setting where we have a very safe space to  critique other people’s work and get feedback and have a nice time to work on stuff. But this is the only connection that we have with outside of the school community. And it’s nice to let other people in Chicago see what we’ve been working on all four years of our career,” said Misa Yo (BFA 2025).

And because the BFA Show acts as a goodbye for so many, there is also a sense of exploration and closure to be garnered from the work and community.

Nico Weems (BFA 2025) said that the BFA Show was like a light at the end of the tunnel — especially since they’re in the Writing program and rarely get to show their work.

“Having the space to show off the visual side of my practice has been really great,” said Weems.

The opportunity to see BFA graduating students’ artwork isn’t over yet. The Spring 2025 BFA Show will be held April 4 to 12 at SAIC Galleries alongside the Impact Performance Festival from April 5 to 6, and the student FVNMA and Sound Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center May 7 to 9.

From left to right: “Imprints” 2023, casted bronze, “Tatara” 2024 acrylic screen print, “Drifting Pulse” 2024, ceramics by Misa Yo.
@misart_yo

“Speculative Future/Fiction”, 2024 by Nico Weems. Gouache on paper, ink on tracing paper, oil on paper, ceramics, sketchbook, salvaged window, cart and personal effects.
@birdie._jay

“internally tangible” 2024, by lauren trampontana. Yarn, second-hand lace, silicone, thread.
@bubiezworld

J.E Paeth and Sophie Novelo interact with “Memorias de Desintegración”, 2024 by Daniella Ungo Berrío. Impresiones de inkjet, appel de kozo y pulpa, hilo de lino and “Reconocimiento de Patrones”, 2024 Impresiones de inkjet, papel de bambú.
@oddslowangle www.daniella-ungo.net

“spring dreams vanish without a trace”, 2024 by Wenqing Xu. Clay, inkjet prints on washi paper, cyanotype and van dyke brown prints on fabric, lumen prints on fiber paper, Japanese paper and book board.
@wnqingg www.wenqingxu.artu

“Travel (Not) Ready”, 2024 by Reina Kitamura. Acrylic, PLA plastic, and laser print.

“In What’s Left Unseen”, 2024 by Haeun Lee, Hanji Inkjet print.

“Echoes of the Unseen”, 2024 by Ember Zu. Plastic and light.

Installation room by Clementine Vale – “Orchiectomy Waitlist”, 2024, “Transpocalypse”, 2021, “Body”, 2022, “Lucky Star Said Trans Rights???”, 2022, “Digital Death Mask- Archive 1”, 2023, “Clemmie’s Cranium”, 2023.

“To All- Thank You!”, 2024 by Vivi Niya Gao. Wood, glue, and love.
@niyagao_ngart www.niyagao.com

From left to right: “eros”, 2024 16 gage steel, rust, “genesis”, 2024 18 gage steel rebirth, 2024 16 gage steel, spray paint by Rea Silvia Emmanouil.