Two-part Senior Thesis Art Exhibition

Each spring, senior artists participate in a two-part Thesis Art Exhibition showcasing their artistic talent and skill. Many are students in AP art classes who work in a multitude of different mediums, such as ceramics, charcoal and fabric and more.

Due to a record number of senior artists that wanted to participate this year, the visual arts department decided to host two shows instead of one. The first one ran from Feb. 24 to Mar. 14, and the second from Apr. 7 to Apr. 25. There are 30 participating seniors this year, 

In past years, artists have talked to viewers about their artistic process, inspiration and plans for the future throughout the show. Due to the sheer number of artists, the Visual Arts Department decided to create a newspaper-style catalog in lieu of a gallery talk.

Visual Arts Department Head Chelsea Dean worked alongside Marlborough’s Graphic Designer Cindi Kusuda to create the catalog. The catalog includes each artist’s profile, in addition to a piece from their installation and their comments about their artistic inspiration, successes and challenges throughout the process. Both gallery exhibitions are the result of many tireless hours of behind-the-scenes work by both the artists and visual arts teachers. 

The exhibition requires students to have three to five cohesive pieces based on a sustained investigation. Riley Koval ’25 has made nature the main focus of her installation and investigation in AP art. 

“I do most of my work with nature in mind,” Koval said. “It’s just about capturing my awe and my feelings in a way that I hope translates to the audience.”

Koval’s installation features four smaller-scale pieces, one medium-sized piece and one large piece on canvas. The largest painting features sharp, jagged cliffs overlooking a blue ocean. Koval hopes the size of the painting will immerse the viewer in the cliffs and the landscape.

“Their scale is so big in real life, and so I wanted to be able to translate that scale in a way that would induce awe in the viewer, just as how it made me feel when I was there,” Koval said.

Many of the students in the Senior Thesis Exhibition have been in the visual arts program for many years. As an educator at Marlborough for over 17 years, Dean has worked with many of the seniors since as young as 7th grade.

“I had a lot of families talk with me about the importance of the program. And I think to see that reflected in the work and their voices and then for the families to see it and acknowledge it, I think it’s just one of the most beautiful experiences you can have as a teacher,” Dean said. “To see that full circle moment and to see the kids come into their full potential for now, at this institution, is the best.”