William & Mary students showcased their handmade artworks in the Hart Gallery's "Handmade" exhibit, held in conjunction with the Ampersand International Arts Festival. Curated by alumna Zara Fina Stasi '12, a Richmond-based artist and founder of Good for the Bees, the multimedia exhibition featured approximately a dozen student submissions including assemblage, collage, sculpture, sewn hangings, and traditional painting. Student curators Gibran Adnan '27 and Rebecca Graber '27 collaborated with Stasi to select and install the works, which explored themes of experimentation, self-expression, and the human process of creating by hand.
This exhibit matters because it emphasizes the value of tactile, handmade art-making in an increasingly digital age, fostering reflection and connection among students and viewers. By celebrating traditional techniques like lost-wax casting and repurposed textile art, the show highlights how hands-on creativity can address contemporary issues such as environmental impact. The Hart Gallery's ongoing commitment to providing a platform for student artists across all majors reinforces the importance of accessible, community-driven art spaces within academic institutions.