Helena College is showcasing its annual capstone exhibition, titled 'The Cost of Living,' at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena, Montana. The show features final projects from six second-year art students—Vinessa Sanford, Kraig Mougeot, William Krings, Linus Leeper, Sophie Uda, and Red Romano—and opened on April 3, running through May 3, 2026. Assistant professor Seth Roby organized the exhibition, which includes works ranging from a turbulent abstract painting to a whimsical nook with lavender wisteria and fairy dwellings, all exploring existential themes tied to life and living.
The exhibition matters because it provides early-career artists with a rare professional gallery experience at a two-year college level, helping students see their own value as artists and prepare for entry into the professional creative world. For students like Kraig Mougeot, having work featured in a real museum setting fulfills a dream and offers critical professional development that is not typically available at this stage of education.