More than 100 seniors from the School of Art and Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will showcase their final projects at Krannert Art Museum from May 9 to May 16. The Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition features work across all disciplines, including art education, art history, graphic design, industrial design, and studio art. Graphic design students Rinnell Borges and Natalie Mora created the exhibition's branding and catalog under the theme "Myth of Originality," drawing inspiration from fellow students' work and university archives. Individual projects include Borges's syrup packaging concept, Mora's communication guide for Latino communities, Caroline Dorion's charcoal drawings of draped female figures, and Sylvie Leyerle's children's book about her adoption from China.
This exhibition matters because it represents the culmination of undergraduate art education at a major public research university, highlighting emerging talent across multiple creative disciplines. The event provides a platform for young artists and designers to present their work to the public, offering insight into contemporary student concerns—from cultural identity and emotional communication to historical influences and commercial design. Such exhibitions are vital for launching careers and fostering community engagement with the arts at the local level.