Lincoln, Neb.—The School of Art, Art History & Design’s Eisentrager-Howard Gallery will host two exhibitions March 24-28.
The first exhibit, in the east gallery, is “The Suppliers,” which showcases the work of the Gomez Art Supply crew. All five of the participating artists are University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni who work in the Lincoln art supply store. A closing reception will be held Friday, March 28 from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery.
The participating artists are Keith Buswell, Peggy Gomez, Katherine Morrow, Luci Packard and Toan Vuong.
Gomez Art Supply, located at 120 N. 14th St., has been a pillar in Lincoln’s art community since it opened in 2003. Through the art supply store and their general generosity, Gomez and her team are champions for the arts with lasting influence on every artist that is lucky enough to find themselves in the store. “The Suppliers” gives the community a look at the artists behind the art supply store.
The second exhibit, in the west gallery, is the MFA Thesis Exhibition of Angelica Tapia-Estrada titled “Syncretic Spirits / Espíritus Sincréticos.” There will be a thesis talk on Friday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m. in Richards Hall Rm. 15, followed by a closing reception from 5-7 p.m. in the gallery.
“Syncretic Spirits / Espíritus Sincréticos” is a multimedia exhibition that invites viewers into a fantastical space where cultural identity and perception intertwine. Colorful shaped panels, sculptural installations, and prints bridge physical and metaphysical realms. The work is driven by personal archetypes inspired by natural forms.
As a first-generation Mexican American, Tapia-Estrada is influenced by the dualities of her upbringing. Through her family traditions, she was immersed in Mexican culture while she also found a home in the nurturing embrace of the heartland. The work has become a means of reclaiming a new layered sense of self and disentangling from my Catholic upbringing and embracing traditional healing methods.
By incorporating abstracted natural imagery alongside images of eyes, Tapia-Estrada is cultivating a growing relationship with the natural world. She draws connections from plant-like forms that appear in my work. They become “spirit glyphs,” acting as sentient guides and archetypes of healing. Reflective of plants reaching towards the light, these imagined forms become extensions of herself exploring the unknown.
Originally from Lexington, Nebraska, Tapia-Estrada is pursuing her M.F.A. in painting and drawing with a minor in printmaking. She holds a B.F.A. in studio art with a minor in philosophy from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She has exhibited across Nebraska and in an installation for Dia de Los Muertos hosted by the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
In addition to her artistic practice, Tapia-Estrada is a muralist, designer and educator for Impact Art, a nonprofit dedicated to creating and promoting positive public art across Nebraska.
The remaining MFA Thesis Exhibitions include:
• MFA Thesis Exhibition II, April 7-11: Sara Alfieri, “Blueprints” and Dominique Ellis, “When the Dust Settles.”
• MFA Thesis Exhibition III, April 14-18: Alex Renbarger, “Artificial Interiors” and Charlotte Middleton, “for the birds.”
The Eisentrager-Howard Gallery is located on the first floor of Richards Hall on the university’s city campus at Stadium Drive and T streets. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public.
For more information on these exhibitions, please contact the School of Art, Art History & Design at (402) 472-5522 or e-mail schoolaahd@unl.edu. Follow the gallery on social media via Instagram (@eisentragerhoward) and Facebook (@EHArtGallery) to be informed of any gallery updates.
