Lisa Dienst-Thomas shared the blooming feelings of joy and hope at the reception for her “Fantastical Blooms” exhibition.
The reception was held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday in the Annette and Jerry Johns Gallery of the Art Building.
The “Fantastical Blooms” exhibit is part of Thomas’ thesis project and is her first official solo exhibition.
Many of the pieces from the exhibit were created from metals such as fine silver and sterling silver, 3D printed nylon and dye she made to create the color with each piece being reminiscent of a flower.
Each of Thomas’ pieces in the exhibition are also wearable items as brooches, necklaces and pins as well.
Refreshments such as water and a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses and vegetables were provided along with candy and a plate of fruit.
Thomas, a part-time graduate student, talked about the meaning of her 21-piece art exhibit and what she wants people to take away from it.
“I think it’d be nice that they could take away joy,” Thomas said. “I mean, if especially the pieces on the wall are really brightly colored and kind of crazy. I like curiosity, and I just like people seeing colorful, joyful work that they can wear, but especially the way I’m showing it, it can also be on display, but they all are actually necklaces and or pins.
Thomas’s pieces took about five and a half years to create because she wanted to learn more and more about the art she was making.
Some of Thomas’ favorite pieces that she made for her exhibit were “Fantastical Bloom 4,” which is a red unique flower that looks as if it was alive due to its almost anatomical looking shape, and “Fantastical Bloom 14,” which is a blue, almost aquatic looking flower with a flower head made of metal.
Many friends of Thomas and NIU students came to marvel at the multiple pieces she had on display.
Roger Breisch, a friend of Thomas’, favorite thing about each of the pieces was how unique they were from each other.
“What I love is that every piece is so unique. It’s not like she did one piece and then sort of modifications that same piece. Every piece is so different and so unique. So, yeah, so I love the uniqueness of it,” Breisch said.
The exhibition will be open for its last day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
