Art Studios and Exhibits

Art emerges in spontaneous, creative moments juggled out of sometimes hectic schedules.

That’s why our modern, well-equipped art studios are open seven days a week, day and night. In addition, senior art students have access to semi-private art studios. We consistently update our networked computer studio with the latest in computer technology.

And when you’re ready to show your work, we have plenty of great places to display it:

• The Barbara A. Kieft Accelerator ArtSpace was built around a 20-foot-high particle accelerator—a vintage 1950s piece of physics equipment, left over from the site’s former life as a physics lab. The gallery is a stunning collaboration between art and science.
• Students also frequently display their art in the Founders Lounge of the Frick Center, a comfortable place known on campus as the University’s living room.

World-Class Art on Campus

Closer to home, the University houses a remarkable collection of Chicago Imagist and Abstractionist Art. Located in the A.C. Buehler Library, the collection is composed of well over 150 works of art, many of which have been part of special exhibitions at major U.S. and European museums. Our former Curator and Director of Exhibitions, Suellen Rocca, was a member of the Hairy Who, a collective of six artists, whose work was featured in a 2018 exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago: Hairy Who? 1966–69. Rocca passed away in March of 2020.

On-Campus Art Exhibitions

The Art Exhibitions and Visiting Artist Program consists of five or six exhibitions each school year that feature prominent professional artists. These exhibitions feature diversity and celebrate Hispanic Heritage, Black History and Women’s History. Exhibitions occur in both in the Frick Center, Founders Lounge and the Barbara A. Kieft Accelerator ArtSpace.

Each exhibition has a reception at which the featured artist gives a gallery talk. Each artist makes an additional visit to the University to speak to an art class or give an additional presentation open to all students. In addition, the exhibition program features annual Capstone displays of art produced by graduating art majors, and two exhibitions of student work.

Off-Campus Art Collections

The nearby Elmhurst Art Museum, located next to a remarkable Mies van der Rohe building, offers still more opportunities to view art.