Check out the 2024 Art & Design Thesis and Promotional Video edited by Meghan Grilli.
Opening Reception: Friday, April 26, 2024, 5:00 – 7:30pm.
Click on the video for a preview!
ART & DESIGN SENIOR THESIS EXHIBITION 2024
On view April 26 – May 31, 2024
USF ART GALLERY
25 E. Van Buren, Joliet, Illinois, 60432
EXHIBITING SENIORS
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VADA ARNDT
Raised in Peoria, Illinois, Vada has fallen in love with the landscape and environment all around her. From familiar and nostalgic scenes, to commentary on her family’s long lineage in the Midwest, Vada has been creating artwork (whether consciously or not) depicting scenes familiar or directly pulled from twenty-something years’ worth of observation and admiration.
Vada works mostly in oils, but is also interested in using mediums which most effectively evoke the desired goal of a piece. Vada loves to see what is present around her as if seeing it for the first time, to realize how amazing it all is. The main goal for this project was to challenge herself to share what she sees in a way that allows others a glimpse of the stunning beauty in the ordinary.
STEPHANIE BEHLAND
Stephanie Behland is a talented Graphic Design major hailing from Homer Glen, Illinois. Stephanie’s journey into the world of graphic design began in high school when she reluctantly enrolled in a computer arts class. This newfound passion led her to switch majors from elementary education to graphic design.
Currently, Stephanie is honing her skills through a marketing internship at The University of St. Francis, where she has also worked on design projects for various companies and organizations. Some of her notable clients include South Side XP Volleyball Club, The University of St. Francis Dance Team, and Blue Taco Restaurant.
When Stephanie is not immersed in the world of design, you can find her dancing or exploring new travel destinations.
JACLYN DUSKE
Jaclyn Duske works with both photography and graphic design. While she loves experimenting with many forms of photography, she has found her passion in sport and concert photography. Jaclyn has had her work shown on The Today Show, KTLA, Country Now Magazine, and countless local newspapers. For her 2024 Senior Thesis, Jaclyn is showcasing both her sport and concert photography and design with images, graphic design pieces, screen prints, book designs, and her own concert merchandise designs.
MEGHAN GRILLI
Meghan Grilli is a K-12 Visual Arts Educator major at University of Saint Francis. Her thesis project, Little Miss Lilly, is a book series that she has written and illustrated based on real-life experiences. The stories follow Lilly, a young girl of an unspecified age, through her adventures of spending time with animals. The books aim to inform children of how to care for these various animals while maintaining a light-hearted atmosphere. Meghan’s goal is to extend the series from animals and incorporate educational themes that enlighten young readers on basic visual arts ideas and concepts. The set-up that Meghan has created within the USF Gallery is meant to replicate a young child’s reading area, much like one would see in real-time as a child were truly reading the stories.
MAZI NIEZGODA
Mazi’s journey with graphic design started when she graduated from Plainfield Central High School. While trying to decide what she was going to do with the rest of her life, she began interning at a wedding photography company where they suggested she take a photography and photoshop course. This led Mazi on a path that fostered her love of graphic design. Mazi received her associate in graphic design at JJC and continued her education as a graphic design major at USF.
When Mazi isn’t working on her numerous photography and graphic design projects, you can find her attending rock concerts throughout the summer.
ALVARO ROBLES
Alvaro Robles aims to innovate and inspire with his art. He has a strong work ethic and takes pride in doing his absolute best. He is always ready for a challenge and seeks to learn new lessons whenever possible. Alvaro does not like to contain himself to one skillset, as he enjoys venturing into different areas of fine art. His style is very detailed and intense. He incorporates his life into his work. Each big project is a piece of his artistic timeline.
For additional information, please contact Jennifer Moore, Gallery Director at jmoore@stfrancis.edu
