Soso Capaldi, The White Whale (2020-2021). Ink, colored pencil, graphite. 31 inches x 45 inches.

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University opens its 2023 MFA Thesis Exhibitions (March 15-May 6) with a series of group shows by 32 students exploring themes of temporality, location and space, symbols, ritual and social relations, and the connection of parts to a whole.

Collectively, their works represent diverse, discrete disciplines as well as amalgamation of practices, featuring glass, fibers, printmaking, digital images, mixed-media, painting and more. In many pieces, the students allude to the urgent need to address impending global reckonings and how they might affect change through their work.

"I am heartened by the integrity and generosity of this class in the face of the challenges that face society. They are serious in their commitment to shaping a better world through their work,” said  Associate Dean and Graduate Studies Director Chad Curtis.

Tyler's annual MFA Thesis shows, the culmination of two years of intensive artistic and critical development, exhibit the breadth of artistic possibilities in its MFA program as well as the intersectionality of studio practice and academics.

When they graduate, Tyler’s MFA Class of 2023 will join a community of distinguished alumni that includes Moe Brooker (BFA ’70, MFA ‘72); Edgar Heap of Birds (MFA ‘79); Harriete Estel Berman (MFA ’80); Virgil Marti (MFA ‘90); Anoka Faruqee (MFA ‘97); Trenton Doyle Hancock (MFA ‘00); Will Villalongo (MFA ‘01); Erin Riley (MFA ‘09); Amber Cowan (MFA ‘11) and Kara Springer (MFA ‘17), among others.

Read about participating students here.

The MFA Thesis Exhibitions schedule is as follows:

March 15 – 18:
Benjamin Fedosky, Kedrick McKenzie, Elicia Epstein, Ethan Storms

March 22 – 25:
Halo Lahnert, Emily Friesen, Sofia Macht, Sean M. Starowitz

March 29 – April 1:
Olivia Fredericks, Ally Kotarsky, Amira Pualwan

April 5 – 8:
Zoraye Cyrus, Christen Baker, Brynn Hurlstone

April 12 – 15:
Miriam Angeles Arrey, Jiseon Min, Rita Scheer, Soso Capaldi

April 19 – 22:
Jordan Hill, Bethany Riley, Sasha Budayv (Я), Maddy Fratarcangelo

April 26 – 29:
Patricia Kalidonis, Guannan Wang (Corina), Jason McDonald, Paolo Mentasti

May 3 – 6:
Evan Bailey, Chad Xuyuan Hu, Julia Malak, Cayarah Pyle, Meryl Skoog, Yongxin Wen

Temple Contemporary
and the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery
Location: 2001 N. 13th St. Philadelphia, PA 19122

Opening Receptions: Fridays, 6 - 8 p.m., March 17-May 5, 2023

Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Thursday, 12–8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.