A plethora of senior artwork is being showcased in the Kentucky Library and Museum until May 17. Gallery director Kristina Arnold said that of the 40 art department graduates, 30 are participating in the exhibition.

The art department has always had a senior exhibition, although it has taken different forms every year, she said.

“It’s exciting to see the breadth of work, see how they’ve been able to develop their own artistic voice,” Arnold said.

Students have taken risks and been successful, Arnold said. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for students to learn how to install and perhaps even sell their work.

Digital prints, graphic design, ceramics and paintings are among the genres of art.

Louisville senior Christy L. McKinney, is receiving her B.A. in art education. Professor Laurin Notheisen was the one who helped her during her years at Western the most.

Notheisen was “always really straight up and honest and supported ideas,” McKinney said.

One piece of McKinney’s in the exhibition is an extremely striking rendition of the “Afghan Girl” photograph that appeared on the front of the June 1985 National Geographic Magazine.

Her collage-like design incorporates the photo with newsprint. McKinney chose the Afghan girl because she is “someone who had meaning in the world” and was also easily recognizable.

Nick Wang, a Taiwanese senior who grew up in Switzerland, has been at Western for nearly six years.

“When first I came to Western, I was only interested in drawing,” he said.

Wang credits his adviser, Professor Jeff Jensen, as the one who helped him most, especially since he introduced Wang to graphic design.

Wang has nine pieces in the exhibition, one of which is “Allow Me to Re-intro Myself” which shows a barefoot Chinese icon Edison Chen, sitting and reading a book amidst other symbols.

“Keep an open mind while looking at everything,” McKinney said.

“Most of the art students spend a lot of time on their artwork, so I hope that they can enjoy it,” Wang said.