2021 MFA Thesis Exhibition
Reflect | Reconnect: Bodies of Work by Kristen Canda and Amelia Novella
The James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History is pleased to present its annual MFA thesis exhibition with works by Kristen Canda and Amelia Novella. The exhibition will be held by Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit at Collected Detroit. To view the work virtually, visit waynestategalleries.org.
To accompany their exhibition, Kristen and Amelia will have an online artist talk on Thursday, April 16, 6-7:30PM. To register, please visit, tinyurl.com/u2huasnr.
Kristen Canda and Amelia Novella are the 2021 Graduates of Wayne State University's MFA Program. Throughout their three years spent together at Wayne State, Canda and Novella have not only developed meaningful respect and adoration for another, but have also found core commonalities within their artistic practices. Despite their differing methods and mediums, the two artists have come together through their mutual dedication to exploration of personal identity, healing, and growth.
Kristen Canda received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2017 and is expected to receive her Master of Fine Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in 2021. Canda's work emphasizes the shape and color relationships she observes in her daily life. By depicting her intimate surroundings, she reflects on the actions, items, places, and people that have shaped her personal identity. Her work was selected by Michigan's 2019 Arts in the Legislature where it was displayed in the state capital. Canda's paintings were also included in Emergence-19, a juried group exhibition highlighting the work of emerging MFA Candidates throughout the state of Michigan, curated by Eastern Michigan University. She was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at Wayne State University from 2018-2020 and received the Graduate Professional Scholarship during the 2020-2021 academic year. She also presented her work at Wayne State University's 2021 Graduate Research Symposium.
Amelia Novella was born in 1995 in Detroit, Michigan. In 2018 she received her BFA in Crafts with a specialty in Fiber & Textile from College for Creative Studies. Rennell is currently finishing her three years at Wayne State University as a Thomas C. Rumble Fellow. Her interdisciplinary practice continues to revolve around the cyclical nature of trauma and creating renewed connection between the mind and body. Rennell has already been included in various shows including the "All Media Exhibition" at the Detroit Artist Market and "Uncommon Threads" at The Scarab Club Detroit. She has also been recognized with Outstanding Student Awards from organizations like the National Surface Design Association and Penland School of Craft. Recent exhibitions include the group show "Work From Home: Varied Voices on Identity and the Domestic" organized by Rennell and six other fellow Wayne State MFAs and alumni at The Scarab Club this past January. Post graduation Rennell plans to continue developing her practice while working with Rosemarine Textiles and teaching within the Fibers Department at College for Creative Studies.
Exhibition: Reflect | Reconnect: Bodies of Work by Kristen Canda and Amelia Novella
Exhibition Dates: April 1 - 30, 2021
Virtual Exhibition: waynestategalleries.org
In-Person Exhibition: Collected Detroit
Artist Talk: Thursday, April 15, 6PM
Contact: info@mm-o-dd.org
In conjunction with Reflect | Reconnect, the James Pearson Duffy Department of Art and Art History is also pleased to present the 2021 WSU Current MFA Exhibition, a virtual exhibition.
This exhibition features works by current WSU graduate students pursuing degrees in Art, Art History, and Design. Graduate students* from various disciplines in the Department of Art and Art History showcase their works for audiences ranging from students to instructors, visiting artists to curators, and local collectors and community supporters. This exhibition features approximately 30 works created through a variety of disciplines and approaches.
Works by the following graduate students are included in the exhibition: Aaron Deshields, Elise Martin, Robin Jourdan, Sarah Heuninck, Tia M. Nichols, wheels, Cara Marie Young, and Yan Zhang.
The exhibition will be on view at waynestategalleries.org.
*The 2021 WSU CURRENT MFA EXHIBITION does not encompass all graduate students-only those who wished to participate in the exhibition.