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Opening Reception April 13 from 2-4 p.m. in the Goppert Gallery

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The »¨½·Ö±²¥ will feature the work of three talented students during the Senior Art Student Exhibition April 13-22 in the Goppert Gallery in Xavier Hall on the USM Main Campus in Leavenworth, 4100 South 4th Street.

The exhibition is free and open to the public on weekdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with an opening reception from 2-4 p.m. on April 13 in the Goppert Gallery.

The three featured student-artists are Karen Anastos of Misawa, Japan, Jordan Hill of Ventura, California, and Hannah Vanriette of Blue Springs, Missouri.

Anastos' work, "Homesick," channels strong memories of the things she misses most about her home in Japan. Her themes include food, traditions, festivities, and spending time with family. She creates sculptures and pieces to manifest memories that she cannot tangibly get to and to process her own feelings of homesickness. 

"Oftentimes, I feel feelings of longing for my family and my home, and I do nothing about them," Anastos said. "Creating pieces for this show allowed me to process and reconnect with my Japanese roots."

Hill's exhibition, "Our Timeless World," is his attempt to explore how time can be captured in the world. With the use of cameras, digital media, and the earth, Hill attempts to remind viewers to appreciate the moments they have in life.

"The feeling of working on pieces over the course of months and years and getting the outcome I wanted is a constant reminder of how time can be on your side," Hill said.

Vanriette's work "Gray Area" explores sexuality, spirituality, and how being queer has affected the relationships in her life. Vanriette printed colorful phrases and imagery onto T-shirts using a hand iron and heat transfer paper.

"Displaying my work at a Catholic university is an important opportunity to bring a deeper understanding of queerness to those who may not understand it," Vanriette said. "Art can inspire a culture of change, and I feel a responsibility to share my experiences because the queer folks who came before me sacrificed freedom and peace for me to have the privileges I have today."

For more information about the Senior Art Student Exhibition or USM's art program, call 913-758-6184. Visit stmary.edu/fine-arts-calendar to view USM's full fine arts event schedule season.

The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.