The SLU Contemporary Art Gallery opened its exhibition “To Make and Be Received: Analyzing the Artistic Process” on October 2, curated by Thomas Walton. The show features works by seven artists—Diana Appaix-Castro, Jessica Lynne Brown, Brooke Cassady, Danielle Fauth, Ben Hamburger, Keir Johnston, and Eric Whitaker—and runs through November 5. Unlike traditional exhibitions, visitors are asked to view the artwork without any prior context, then respond to reflective questions before listening to recorded artist interviews. An artist talk is scheduled for October 30, and the gallery’s next exhibition, “Fall 2025 Senior Exhibition,” opens November 20.
This exhibition matters because it reimagines the typical gallery experience by prioritizing personal, unfiltered engagement over authoritative interpretation. By inviting viewers to form their own responses before hearing the artists’ intentions, the show fosters a more intimate and introspective connection between audience and artwork. It also highlights the role of university galleries in experimenting with curatorial approaches that encourage active participation and critical thinking among students and the broader campus community.