Ten graduating seniors from Northwestern University's art, theory and practice (ATP) program are presenting a group exhibition titled "Peristeronic" at the Dittmar Gallery, running from May 22 through June 2. The show features work by Lulu Abathra, Isabella Bartling, Alex Bremauntz, Quentin Colson, Helaina Harris, Maggie Musgrave, Lucie Paul, Natalia Tapia Moreno, Grace Wang, and Julianne Zane, with faculty facilitator Lane Relyea. The artists explore themes of community, transition, and personal growth, using techniques such as screen printing, oil painting, spray paint, and digital art.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the role of a small but supportive art department in fostering emerging artists' development. Students like Alex Bremauntz and Lucie Paul credit Northwestern faculty—including Curtis Miller, Brendan Fernandes, Mike Cloud, and Michael Rakowitz—for encouraging experimentation and risk-taking. The show also reflects broader trends in contemporary student art, such as queer and agender reinterpretations of classical imagery and the integration of traditional and digital media, underscoring the importance of university art programs in shaping the next generation of visual artists.