The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design Presents
2022 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition
On view from May 27 - June 17, 2022
Opening Reception Thursday, May 26, 5-7pm
Johab Silva MFA ‘22, Metajuricaba, Virtual Reality (VR), 2021-ongoing.
PORTLAND, Maine — May 12, 2022 —The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design (ICA at MECA&D) is pleased to announce the 2022 Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Thesis Exhibition opening reception on Thursday, May 26 at 5:00pm. Attendees are required to show proof of vaccination for the event. The 2022 MFA Thesis Exhibition will be on view from Friday, May 27 - Friday, June 17, 2022.
This year’s exhibition features work in a variety of media, including: drawing; video; performance; sculpture; painting; printmaking; virtual reality; fiber; photography; and, installation. Seen together, the thesis projects hybridize a range of conceptual themes and material approaches as they relate to visual culture, the political landscape and to contemporary art practice. The work in the exhibition represents the synthesis of each graduate candidate’s experience in the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art program at Maine College of Art & Design.
2022 MFA artists: Kadie [Daniels] Annice, Anna Cowley Ford, Nicholas Goodhue, Andy Jacobs, Thao Kieu, Michelle Lassaline, Johab Silva, Allie Wittmann, and Jordan Wood.
Exhibition events:
- Thursday, May 26, 5:00-7:00pm: Exhibition Opening Reception
- Thursday, May 26, 6:30pm: Performance, Michelle Lassaline MFA ’22, As Hounds Pursue Hares, 2022
For more information about the exhibition, please visit the ICA website.
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ABOUT MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN STUDIO ART AT MAINE COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
The interdisciplinary approach of the Master of Fine Arts at Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) asks students to think across traditional academic boundaries, expand their art practice, and challenge their intellectual curiosity. Whether a student chooses the full- or low-residency option, this highly individualized program begins with the Summer Intensive, an 8-week immersive experience featuring a distinguished roster of visiting artists, curators, cultural producers and/or activists in addition to renowned core faculty. Studio-based, the curriculum provides a transformative learning experience for students as they define a sustainable vision for their own art practice through individualized research, critical analysis, and curatorial experimentation, along with a high degree of faculty contact time and structured travel to important cultural sites.
MFA Graduate faculty:
- Chris Stiegler, Chair of the MFA in Studio Art and Assistant Professor of Art History
- Gail Spaien, Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Painting
- Adriane Herman, Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Printmaking
- Joshua Reiman, Associate Professor of the MFA in Studio Art + Sculpture
- Ling-Wen Tsai, Professor of Sculpture and Foundations + MFA in Studio Art
- Kyle Patnaude, Visiting Assistant Professor, Metalsmithing & Jewelry + MFA in Studio Art
- Nico Jenkins, Visiting Associate Professor, Academic Studies + MFA In Studio Art
- Julie Poitras Santos, Director of Exhibitions + Assistant Professor of the MFA
- Lauren Fensterstock, Adjunct Assistant Professor of the MFA in Studio Art
- Seth Rogoff, Adjunct Instructor of History + MFA in Studio Art
- Marla McLeod, Adjunct Faculty, MFA in Studio Art
- Tracey Cockrell, Adjunct Faculty, MFA in Studio Art
- Gonzalo Reyes Rodriguez, Adjunct Faculty, MFA in Studio Art
Summer 2022 MFA Visiting Artists: Daniela Rivera, Matt Hutton, Martha Buskirk, Lauren Mabry, Jarrett Earnest, Alysha Kupferer, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Dylan Hausthor, Shirley Tse, Josh Diehle, and Patrick Coughlin.
ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART AT MECA&D (ICA at MECA&D):
The Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design (ICA at MECA&D), cultivates engagement and dialogue regarding contemporary visual art practices, aiming to foster discourse regarding the critical conversations of our time, and to enhance understanding of visual culture. Located in stunning galleries in Maine College of Art & Design’s landmark Porteous Building, the ICA at MECA&D presents an exhibition calendar of ambitious work by living artists, operates as a learning laboratory for MECA&D students, and as a center for public programming regarding contemporary art that engages with the local, national and global art community.
Hosting five exhibitions each year accompanied by a dynamic series of public events and artist talks, the ICA at MECA&D also supports Maine College of Art & Design graduate student exhibitions and College events. We are dedicated to working across platforms collaboratively and thinking with others to inspire creative action, reimagine our future, and create compassionate communities together through visual art.
Open Wednesday–Sunday, 11:00pm–5:00pm, and Thursday evenings 5-7pm. The ICA at Maine College of Art & Design is always free.
meca.edu/ica - instagram.com/icaatmeca - instagram.com/mecaart
COVID-19 Policies: For the health and safety of our staff and visitors, we ask that all visitors to the ICA social distance and agree to wear a mask at all times while inside the ICA, regardless of vaccination status. If you are feeling unwell please stay home and plan your visit for a later date.
ABOUT MAINE COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D, pronounced "Maine College of Art and Design”) has been activating students of all pursuits to make art, make an impact, and inspire change since its founding as Portland School of Art in 1882. Located in Portland's thriving Arts District, students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, 24-hour-a-day studios, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a community-based Artists at Work program—making MECA&D the right-sized school in the right-sized city for every student who wants to make their mark and be seen. MECA&D offers BFA Majors and Minors, Graduate Programs, Continuing Studies, Pre-College, and includes the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies and the Institute for Contemporary Art. Follow us at @mecaart.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jacqui Walpole
Director of External Relations
jwalpole@meca.edu