Ranging from paintings of self-portraiture and allegorical realism, to a vacuum cleaner-turned-carpet defender sculpture, the collected work of the graduate candidates in art is on display in the University�s Art Museum.

Bright winter light streaming in through the museum�s high windows and, carefully positioned spotlights, beautifully illuminate the talented effort of the University�s new crop of MFA candidates. Michael Cefalo, Brian Cirmo, Alee Corbalis, Teping Lin and Eileen Rice Walker have just completed the Art Department�s three-year, 60-credit-hour program of intensive training and study in traditional and contemporary fine art practices. Now on display is the core of their work � their visual theses � demonstrating the vigor and expertise with which these emerging artists explore their respective mediums.

From Michael Cefalo�s large, provocative sculpture of a $5 bill to Corbalis�s delicately fragile threads, decorated with painted rice paper and dangling from the ceiling, the space holds a veritable visual treat for the eye. On the walls are exuberant, stimulating paintings, thought-provoking images and works of mixed media.

The University Art Museum provides the graduate candidates with the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional museum setting. At the same time the museum offers viewers a unique opportunity to see how today�s emerging artists are addressing contemporary issues in the visual arts. The Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition is an important milestone for these artists and marks their debut into the larger art world.

Also featured is work by Masters of Arts (M.A.) candidates: Michael Dudley, Joan McKeon and Carmen Shang. The Masters degree is a 30 credit-hour graduate program in studio art.