Volonté: 2026 Senior BFA Exhibition
Published: March 25, 2026 | Author: Kol Gibson | Read Time: 3 minutes
The next generation of artists and storytellers at Southern Utah University will present the culmination of their undergraduate work in Volonté: 2026 Senior BFA Exhibition, opening at Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA). The exhibition will be on display from Saturday, March 28, through Friday, April 26, 2026, with an opening reception on March 31 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The annual Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition showcases the capstone projects of graduating seniors in the Department of Filmmaking, Art, and Design. Featuring the work of 37 BFA students, the exhibition spans a wide range of disciplines, including ceramics, filmmaking, graphic design, illustration, photography, painting, drawing, and printmaking. Each student presents a cohesive body of work developed over the course of their studies, demonstrating the technical skill, conceptual thinking, and artistic voice they will carry into their professional careers.
This year’s exhibition title, Volonté, was selected by the graduating cohort. The French word can be translated to mean “the will and determination to achieve something, even when it is difficult or challenging,” a concept that reflects both the creative process and the persistence required to complete a BFA degree. From early experimentation to the refinement of a distinct artistic voice, the exhibition embodies the sustained effort and commitment that define the student experience in the arts.
For many of the students, the exhibition represents both a conclusion and a beginning: the final milestone of their undergraduate education and their first opportunity to present a fully realized body of work in a professional gallery setting. The diversity of media and perspectives on display highlights the breadth of the program and the individuality of each artist’s journey.
The exhibition also includes work from eight Filmmaking majors, whose senior thesis projects will be presented through trailers available for viewing in the gallery. The full films will premiere during the BFA Thesis Film Screening on Wednesday, April 22, from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. in the SUU Auditorium Theatre, offering audiences a deeper look at the storytelling and production work behind the projects.
Southern Utah Museum of Art is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The museum is free and open to the public. Learn more about the museum and upcoming exhibitions at www.suu.edu/suma.
Please come and enjoy one of the favorite events of the year at Volonté: 2026 Senior BFA Exhibition. Enjoy the work of SUU’s emerging artists and absorb the determination and creative spirit that inspired the exhibition’s name.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 41 academic programs, including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year which are complemented by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and Shakespeare Studies at SUU, and is affiliated with the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF). Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.Contact Information
Kol Gibson
435-865-8667
kolgibson@suu.edu