Alumni Exhibition
USF Art Gallery
25 E. Van Buren
Joliet, Illinois, 60432
August 25, 2022 through September 29, 2022
Public reception: August 25, 2022, 6p.m. – 8 p.m.
This exhibition examines work by USF graduates dating back to the 1970s. Included here is a range of artworks using a variety of media (digital arts, drawing, fiber art, painting, sculpture, and new media). The exhibition illustrates the rich history of the visual arts at the university and how studies at USF extend into the lives of our alumni. The exhibiting artists in this iteration include: Megan Altmyer, Jessica Baron, Roger Carlson, Jessica Cuevas, Katia Hunt, Sydney Jarrard, Dora Moore, Meghann O’Hara, Autumn Panzera, Boris Peshev, Joe Santillo, Egzon Shaqiri, Marguerite Stoiber, Odessa Villarreal, and Ryan Wolfe.
Christopher Jones, Class of 2015
Chris is a Photographer and Graphic Artist who photographs and coordinates a variety of jobs from weddings and portraits to school yearbooks and large volume jobs. The work of creating memories from a moment in time is priceless. In his portrait work, Chris is always striving to create that special memory for a family to cherish for a lifetime. Most recently Chris has achieved goals in his personal life, recently getting married, and in his career where he is a lead photographer and manages other photographers to create a common goal within the studio setting. Chris has thrived thanks to the constant support from his wife and family.
Dora Moore, Class of 2008
Dora Moore is a studio artist who resides in the Joliet area. Since graduation, Dora has worked in a variety of techniques that explore the role of the arts in the African American community. In addition to her studio practice she is an active contributor to the community through an array of outreach efforts.
Meghann O’Hara, Class of 2001
Meghann O’Hara paints with shapes. Whether she is working digitally or with cut paper, the process is always playful and the product often childlike. This digital series is based on photos taken from this summer’s trip to national parks with her family. Meghann is currently doing licensing work.
Autumn Panzera, Class of 2011
Autumn creates objects layered with meaning. Autumn will be returning to USF this fall for a BA in Psychology to further explore her outer expressions and inner workings . Meanwhile, she continues selling books with reckless abandon at the local Joliet Barnes & Noble while documenting her quest via paint, collage, words, clay or whatever else the muse demands!
Boris Peshev, Class of 2016
Currently based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Boris completed his Master of Arts in Digital Design in 2019. He now designs UI/UX applications and videos for international companies like Tommy Hilfiger, Looney Tunes, Pikkujätti, Nokia, and HMD. In addition to his professional practice, Boris teaches at USF in Art & Design’s SUSE (Sichuan University of Science & Engineering) program.
Joe Santillo, Class of 2017
Joe works as an art teacher at Tri-Point High School in Cullom, Illinois. He has recently completed his master’s degree in art education from the University of Florida. Joe also is a very successful artist selling his work at True North in Morris, Illinois, as well as online through Instagram.
Egzon Shaqiri, Class of 2014
Upon completing his degree with a focus on photography and graphic design, Egzon began his professional career with McGraw-Hill Publishing in Bolingbrook, IL. Now, the Senior Communications Designer for the fortune 500 company Salesforce, Egzon oversees visual materials for customer relationship management software and applications focused on sales, customer service, marketing automation, analytics, and application development.
Marguerite Stoiber, Class of 1973
Encouraged by her Visual Arts professors and the strong Fiber Arts program at the College of St. Francis, Marguerite discovered her love for handwoven art in 1972. Throughout her career in education, fibers have appeared in her curriculum at every grade level that she taught, Junior High through High School. As Marguerite returns to the classroom this Fall, it is the enthusiasm and courage of her Joliet Catholic Academy students that continues to inspire her to look back, to question techniques and to challenge herself.
Lauren Tuider, Class of 2020
Since graduating in 2020, Lauren has explored the professional world of design and retail management. In attempts to combine the two interests, she currently works professionally in visual merchandising and team management.
Odessa Villarreal, Class of 2021
While Odessa is deeply involved in her family’s entrepreneurial and restaurant endeavors, she has also made steps to become a photographer and visual artist. Odessa has made a point of juggling two career paths.
Ryan Wolfe, Class of 2004
Upon graduation from USF, Ryan completed an MFA at Yale University with a focus in sculpture. Since completing his degrees, he has taught at university level in the New York City area. Ryan is currently the exhibition coordinator the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Moore, Gallery Director at jmoore@stfrancis.edu
