In the spring of their senior year, Kenyon art majors mount an exhibition of their work as part of their capstone exercise. In recent years, the senior art exhibition has been held at The Gund, the College’s art gallery and home to its growing art collection. The Gund will host the 2025 show in much the same form as in past years. For future exhibitions, the College is working with the studio arts faculty and museum staff to explore other configurations that meet evolving programmatic needs, possibilities that include The Gund as well as other spaces on campus.
“The senior art exhibition is a point of pride for the entire community,” President Julie Kornfeld said. “I am confident that we will find opportunities that both ensure a high-quality senior art exhibition and allow the museum to achieve its programmatic goals — all without diminishing the experience of our students.”
The Gund, like Kenyon as a whole, has evolved since it opened 13 years ago. This includes transitioning from an exhibition gallery primarily to a museum. This evolution requires The Gund to uphold enhanced professional standards, including increased stewardship of artwork and careful monitoring of all materials brought into the gallery.
By adhering to museum best practices, Director and Chief Curator Daisy Desrosiers explained, students not only safeguard their own creations but also gain invaluable experience in professional exhibition practices and the expectations of working in the broader art world. “The Gund remains deeply committed to supporting student artists and providing them with meaningful, professional opportunities to exhibit their work and learn about the intricacies of museums,” she said.
Members of the President’s Office and the Provost’s Office will work closely with the studio arts faculty and museum staff over the next several months to identify potential options to augment the show beyond The Gund, soliciting input from studio art majors. The plan is to recommend a suitable and sustainable approach to future exhibitions.
“Our educational mission is at the center of everything we do here at Kenyon,” Provost Jeff Bowman said. “How we fulfill that mission is always evolving but our commitment to the student experience is unwavering.”