‘Those Who Can’: Minot State University graduate art students to showcase artwork in graduate capstone exhibition

MINOT, N.D. - Six Minot State University art students are exhibiting in their graduate capstone art exhibition, "Those Who Can." Featuring Micki Borkhuis, Kiah Hove, Tienna Johnson, Allison Muncaster, Rayson Renfrow, and Michael Stein, the exhibition will open with a reception at the Northwest Arts Center on Friday, Aug. 2, at 6:30 p.m. and will be on display until Aug. 28.

Capstone is the culminating experience for art majors, allowing them to apply what they have learned in their time at Minot State University. The students are each pursuing a Master of Education with a focus in arts education. This exhibition commemorates their years of art experience at the University and professional level and showcases their skills. 

Borkhuis, an art teacher at Magic City Campus, explores ceramics as a part of her artistic practice. She embraces personal challenges as she experiments and grows her knowledge with the medium.

"Through teaching ceramics, I have found a love for wheel thrown ceramics. I'm constantly reminded that when we celebrate our failures in art, we find our own path to success," said Borkhuis.

Hove has taught high-school ceramics for the last five years and is continuing to challenge her relationship with ceramics through wheel-thrown work.

"The wheel and I are still figuring each other out, but I can see the beauty in these little pots because I know the struggle I went through to create them - and the grace I've allowed myself to continue making mistakes," Hove stated.

Johnson, who teaches middle school art in Bismarck, connects her love of reading with her art practice. She describes her ceramics as being similar to a "mass of books filling a shelf."

"Creating this body of work has generated an unprecedented link between two of my favorite things, making pottery and reading. Like a book, there is a great deal of time and energy that goes into creating a piece of pottery that cannot be necessarily seen in its final form," said Johnson.

Kiah Hove's "Ceramics" and Tienna Johnson's "Ceramics."

Muncaster currently teaches high school art in rural North Dakota. Her art practice recently has focused on photography, aiming to "capture the essence of those fleeting moments."

"Each piece in this collection captures a different phase of growth and transition, showcasing the beauty of change and the significance of the memories that shape us. Through my artwork, I hope to evoke emotions and spark reflection on the importance of embracing every phase of life, no matter how fleeting it may be," said Muncaster.

Renfrow explores the relationship between photography and printmaking in addition to teaching art in Glenburn.

"Often my work deals with the concept of memory, time, and change as I am fascinated with how each can affect the other. In this body of work, all the source imagery comes from a collection of family photographs that have been passed down to me," said Renfrow.

Stein, who has taught high school art for the last 28 years while also being a wrestling coach, uses his art to capture the transient nature of existence.

"My goal as an artist is to provoke thought and evoke emotion. I want viewers to pause and reflect on their own experiences, their own conflicts, to find beauty in fleeting moments, and to appreciate the intricate balance between stability and disorder. Many of my pieces are a testament to the ever-changing world we live in and a reminder to cherish the present," said Stein.

Allison Muncaster's "Digital Photo," Rayson Renfrow's "Angela Rae," and Michael Stein's "One Fine Morning."

A reception with the artists will be held at the Northwest Arts Center in the Walter Piehl Gallery on Friday, Aug. 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Both exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. 

While at the Northwest Arts Center, the exhibition will be available for viewing Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 1-5 p.m. The Center is closed holidays. The Walter Piehl Gallery is located on the lower level of the Gordon B. Olson Library at Minot State University, with its own entrance on the south side of the library. The exhibition and related events are free and open to the public.

This exhibition is funded in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

ON VIEW 
Minot State University 2024 Graduate Capstone Exhibition - Those Who Can: Aug. 1-28, 2024.

EXHIBITION CREDIT 
This exhibition is funded in part by a grant from the North Dakota Council on the Arts, which receives funding from the state legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

RELATED PROGRAMS
'Those Who Can' 2024 Graduate Capstone Exhibition Aug. 1-28, 2024
Opening Reception: Friday, Aug. 2, 6:30-8 p.m.
Walter Piehl Gallery, Northwest Arts Center, Minot State University

NORTHWEST ARTS CENTER 
The Northwest Arts Center is a non-profit arts center operating on the campus of Minot State University. The Center houses the Walter Piehl Gallery, a public reception area, and climate-controlled collections storage and display for Minot State University's Permanent Art Collection and Native American Collections. Over the years the Center has enriched the artistic life of northwest North Dakota with year-round art exhibitions, a performing arts series, a public lecture series, and numerous workshops and artists-in-residence activities. 

GENERAL INFORMATION 
The Northwest Arts Center is located at Minot State University, 500 University Ave. W, Minot, ND, 58707. The Walter Piehl Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 1-5 p.m., and by appointment. Gallery entrance and parking are on the south side of the Gordon B. Olson Library. Visitor parking permits are available on request at the gallery office. Exhibitions, receptions, and other programming are free and open to the public. 

About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.

Published: 07/31/24

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