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ART! “Thresholds” Works of Graduating Studio Arts Majors Opens April 22nd at Providence College
If you’re looking for something fresh, local, and genuinely original, this is one of the best places to find it right now.
“Thresholds,” the 2026 Studio Art Thesis Exhibition, opens April 22 and features work from graduating studio art majors—often one of the most compelling and personal shows of the year.
Rather than a single theme, the show reflects a range of individual voices and disciplines. Visitors can expect:
- Large-scale paintings that explore identity, memory, and emotional landscapes
- Sculptural and installation work using unexpected materials—wood, fabric, found objects
- Photography and digital media examining perception, environment, and contemporary life
- Mixed-media pieces that blur boundaries between traditional and experimental art
Each artist develops their own visual language, and part of the draw is seeing how differently they interpret that “threshold” moment—whether it’s personal growth, cultural shifts, or stepping into the unknown after graduation.
While Providence College doesn’t always heavily promote individual student names ahead of opening, the exhibition itself is designed to introduce these artists as they transition from student to professional—making this one of the first opportunities to discover new local talent before they gain wider recognition.
2026 Studio Art Thesis Exhibition: Thresholds will run from April 22, 2026 to July 31, 2026 at the Hunt-Cavanagh Gallery, opening at 5pm.
Graduating seniors of the Art & Art History Department at Providence College Olivia Arslanian, Kirstin Elliott, Ava Robitaille and Alex Stepanov conceptualize and complete capstone projects to fulfill the requirements of their major.
In studios dedicated to research and artistic exploration, the graduating studio art majors work for a full academic year to create a cohesive body of artwork. In the resulting solo exhibitions on view here, they present thesis projects that highlight the dynamic ways in which today’s artists experiment with materials and content, conduct in-depth cultural research, and craft new visual experiences.
These thesis exhibitions represent the culmination of each student’s artistic journey, with works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. Expect bold ideas, experimentation, and deeply individual perspectives as students explore themes of transition, identity, and change—fitting for a show titled Thresholds.
Unlike larger museum exhibitions, thesis shows offer a rare chance to see emerging artists at a pivotal moment—before careers launch and styles fully evolve.
The exhibition runs through the spring and is open to the public.