Boston art exhibitions this spring showcase emerging artists

Graduating and award-winning art students to display works in trio of public shows

Isabel Beavers

BOSTON (May 9, 2017) -- The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University is celebrating graduating art students across its degree programs with three spring exhibitions around the city of Boston.

In addition to showcasing the work of extraordinary up-and-coming artists, this year's shows are the culmination of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts' first full year as part of Tufts University.

Cal Rice's Dana Pond Competition winner “The Courtyard”, in gouache, acrylic and graphite on panel, on view at the Year End ShowCal Rice's Dana Pond Competition winner “The Courtyard”, in gouache, acrylic and graphite on panel, on view at the Year End Show

The Year End Show, running through May 22, is an exhibition spanning multiple spaces at the SMFA at Tufts Fenway campus that highlights the works of departing students, and exceptional pieces from the year. The Grossman Gallery, Anderson Auditorium and Weems Atrium is displaying the works of 52 students in a variety of media, including sculpture, painting, drawing, and video installation. In order for work to qualify for the show, the piece must be created by a member of the Class of 2017 or have won an award during the 2016-17 academic year.

Graduating master's candidates will present their work at the Master's Thesis Exhibition from May 16-21. Boston's historic Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts at 539 Tremont Street will house the works of this year's class of 37 students, also working across a variety of media. This work is the capstone of two years working closely with SMFA at Tufts' faculty to develop their vision and shape the future of their careers as working artists. Students will be critiqued on their works during the exhibit's soft opening on May 16 and 17; the show officially opens on May 18. The opening reception celebrating the master's thesis candidates and their work will be held at the Cyclorama on Friday, May 19, from 7:30 – 10 p.m.

The SMFA at Tufts' Senior Thesis Exhibition features art created by senior Bachelor of Fine Arts students participating in the SMFA at Tufts thesis program.  From May 20-24, the seniors' thesis work will take over the Third Floor Studios at the SMFA at Tufts' Fenway campus. The paintings, sculptures, and installations of 17 graduating students are critiqued by a panel of SMFA at Tufts faculty, including their thesis advisors. The Senior Thesis Exhibition will hold its opening reception on Saturday, May 20, from 5 – 8 p.m., which will include live performances.

The workspace of senior thesis student Teru Kushi, in advance of the Senior Thesis ExhibitionThe workspace of senior thesis student Teru Kushi, in advance of the Senior Thesis Exhibition

All SMFA at Tufts spring shows are free and open to the public.

The SMFA at Tufts will hold its commencement ceremony for the Class of 2017 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston on Sunday, May 21, at 6 p.m. The celebration will include speeches from students and administrators.

Graduates of the SMFA at Tufts will also participate in the university-wide commencement festivities on Tufts University's Medford/Somerville campus on Sunday, May 21, at 9 a.m., including an address by acclaimed TV writer and producer Kenya Barris.

Year End Show
Grossman Gallery, Anderson Auditorium, Weems Atrium
School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University campus
230 Fenway, Boston 
Through May 22
Hours: Mondays – Saturdays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., closed Sundays

Master's Thesis Exhibition
The Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts
539 Tremont Street, Boston
May 16 – 21 (May 16 – 17: soft opening and student critiques)
Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., May 19: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Opening Reception: May 19, 7:30 – 10 p.m.

Senior Thesis Exhibition
Third Floor Studios
School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University campus
230 Fenway, Boston
May 20 – 24
Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., May 22: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., closed Sundays
Opening Reception: May 20, 5 – 8 p.m.

###

About the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts was established in 1876 as part of the Museum of Fine Art’s mission to educate through the arts. After a more than 70-year relationship with Tufts University, it officially became part of Tufts' School of Arts and Sciences in July 2016. The SMFA at Tufts is extraordinary in being affiliated with a world class museum and part of a major research university. Tufts, located on campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton, Massachusetts, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all Tufts campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university's schools is widely encouraged.

Back to Top