From April 18 to May 18, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Gallery of Art is exhibiting the works of 13 graduating BFA and BA students. An opening reception for the exhibition, “What’s Unseen; Left Unsaid,” was held April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. The theme of the exhibition surrounds the power of art, and how it reveals unspoken emotions, experiences and stories.
Photo Credit Luke Murray
The graduating BFA and BA students were responsible for the setup and installation of the pieces, as well as the creative vision of the exhibition. “It was really just trying to find where ideas intersected and where we each found a little bit of joy in our own respective areas,” said BFA student Emily Dallaire of the process. Since the closure of the UNH Museum of Art more than a year ago and the loss of the museum staff, the installation of exhibitions has been coordinated and executed by students.
Benjamin Cariens, associate professor and chair of the art and art history department at UNH, consulted with and advised the graduates throughout the process. The graduating students also spoke on their works and their creative process during “The Naked Arts: Creativity Exposed!,” a three-part event during the Undergraduate Research Conference (URC).
Photo Credit Luke Murray
Cat St. Hilaire enjoyed the idea formation and installation process: “I think I honestly resonate more with the process of actually putting the whole gallery together than my individual pieces being up,” said St. Hilaire, “It feels like this fulfilling group project, in a way, and it was so satisfying to see everybody’s stuff go up”. The theme of St. Hilaire’s work is “A Conversation with Ghosts”, and focuses on how we approach dying and death, and how ghosts can be indicative of memories and moments that are lasting. St. Hilaire wishes to pursue their art in conjunction with another career. They enjoy the gallery environment and hope to continue to submit work for display in various galleries.
Emily Dallaire’s body of work is titled “Joy: In Form and Color” and focuses on searching for and communicating the pure feeling of joy. In her creative process, Dallaire noticed that the interaction between the forms in her work represented something else- a connection. “I just would really like to continue to create,” said Dallaire on her future artistic endeavors, “and I think that this program has helped me have more of a motivation to continue to create.”
Photo Credit Luke Murray
The UNH Gallery of Art has several exhibitions to look forward to in Fall 2025, including a faculty and staff exhibition, as well as an exhibition featuring works by local artist and director of the Katzman Contemporary Arts Project in Dover.
“What’s Unseen; Left Unsaid” is on display until May 18.
Featured BFA students:
Amy Alterisio
Nolan Cloutier
Garrett Cote
Emily Dallaire
Miranda Fay
Shannon Gormley
Kelsey Loucks
Mitra Nutter
Jamie Senzapaura
Cat St. Hilaire
Daisy Tuttle
Featured BA students:
Kolbi Plante
Alaina Osburn
