DeKALB – Lizzy Warner, Tina Figarelli and Julie Ashley are BFA painting majors who will be graduating this spring. They are hosting the “Studio 205 Exhibition” to showcase the art they have made during their years at NIU.

The exhibition will take place on May 5 in Studio 205 in the Still Gym from 6:30 to 9 p.m. with music and refreshments to enjoy while you scan the artwork. It is free to attend and tickets don’t need to be purchased ahead of time. 

There will be another showcase taking place the same night in the Jack Olson Gallery that is displaying the artwork for BFA graduates, but the “Studio 205 Exhibition” is an extended showcase for the three painting majors exclusively. 

“This year (and exhibition) is really special for the painting program because there’s only three of us and we’re all women,” Warner said.

The three painting majors have organized the exhibition themselves by decorating the interior, repainting the walls and removing furniture to set up the room all while trying to finish up their last semester. Full collections of their work will be displayed as well as extra work they have made throughout the years.

Attendees will get to experience three different types of artwork as the three women all have different painting styles to display. They all have experience in other departments, so extended work like jewelry and drawings will be on display that night as well.

The “Studio 205 Exhibition” will be more of a cozy and casual setting for people to stroll and admire the work of the three painters. The laidback setting gives those attending the chance to speak to the artists and ask them questions about their process or a certain piece of work they created and how it is to work in a painting studio.

With this being their last showcase before they graduate, Ashley said she is hopeful that faculty and peers will come out to celebrate and support them. 

“Having your art seen by different people is always a really good feeling and also getting feedback from people and seeing that I can improve,” Ashley said. “Also getting my name out there as an artist and gaining connections is beneficial.”