The Kappa Pi International Art Honor Society opened its undergraduate exhibition “Uncovered” at Hot Shops Art Center with pieces of many mediums at the beginning of March. 

This is the first juried undergraduate exhibition from Creighton in over twenty years. The Nicholas Street Gallery inside Hot Shops hosted sculptures, oil paintings, intaglio print triptych and more mediums from over thirty Creighton artists. From realism to impressionism, many art styles were represented. 

The gallery was right inside the entrance to Hot Shops, allowing visitors to see this collection right upon entry. A guest book to the left of the door gave visitors the chance to sign in, and many included where they were from, including Texas and Vermont. 

McKenna Blaine, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, talked about the planning process behind the exhibition.  

“I have never had my work displayed in this way before. I learned a lot about the careful planning that exhibitions require and all the behind the scenes. It is crucial to take into consideration interactive elements such as light and spacing. These will capture the viewers’ attention and can manipulate their impressions,” she said. 

Art students volunteered to have their pieces displayed in the show and were encouraged by professors to submit their work. 

Aeryn Hale, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said “This is my first time having a piece displayed in Omaha. I’ve had pieces from high school on display in Texas in multiple galleries. I won state at an art competition and it opened up a lot of doors for me, so my artwork has been displayed at the Star, where the Cowboys practice.” 

Her pieces included a chalk pastel drawing titled “thoughts” and a clay bust titled “Doug.” Hale also said the pastel is a medium she really likes because they are so pigmented, although the clay bust was a fun and time-consuming challenge. 

I want people to fall in love with more traditional art,” Hale said. “There is a move towards abstract, but I love looking at things from life and drawing them. I like how the model for ‘thoughts’ is staring directly into your soul, so I like the connection that offers from viewers to art.” 

Hot Shops is also home to tons of artists who rent space in the building as their studio. Valerie Spellman is a stained glass artist who specializes in custom commissions for homes and small businesses. 

“I thought it was a pretty diverse show in what was presented. There were two pieces with women with horns, and I thought that was interesting. I’m not sure what it means but it was striking and those were my two favorites. I wish they were for sale!” she said. 

Spellman is also connected to the Creighton Law School. She is making the graduates of the law school a medallion with fused glass currently. She has made pieces like coasters for the Creighton community in the past. 

The exhibition is available through March 30th during Hot Shops regular business hours.