As most graduating students in the School of Art prepare for the upcoming Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) shows in the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, one group of students has created an exhibit that they feel allows them to better display what they have learned as artists.

“Because the BFA show is so crowded, we wanted an opportunity to show more of our work together so that we could share the specific concepts that we were working on,” said senior Devon Hale.

Entitled NEW WORKS, the show displays artwork from six graduating students that was produced over the past year, with many of the paintings created in the last few months. The opening reception was held April 24, and the exhibit will run at the Sandpoint Gallery of the School of Art until May 8.

“This is a show to celebrate our cooperation with each other,” Hale said. “This is the first time in the School of Art that undergraduates have put their own show together.”

The contributing artists have been friends throughout their college careers, helping each other advance in their studies. Several have even shared studios over the years.

“We’ve helped each other progress,” said senior Jacob Perkins. “We’re not afraid to ask anyone’s opinion on a piece. We trust each other.”

Organizing the show was a new experience for the soon-to-be graduates. In addition to creating the artwork, there were other factors the students had to consider for the first time.

“Whenever you curate your own show, there’s a lot of planning and decisions that go with it that you don’t initially think about,” said senior Amanda Baldwin.

Although NEW WORKS was created by the students, all six artists have also been preparing for their BFA shows. While working on both exhibits presented a challenge, they were able to take advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s really exciting to have all this pressure to make this work,” said senior Ashley Engelbert.

The students hope the School of Art will give future undergraduates similar opportunities to create independent shows.

“I want to continue getting people excited about art and encouraging them to do things like this,” said senior Allison Davis. “You don’t need an art critic to tell you that you can make or display art.”

After the four years the students spent together developing as artists, the NEW WORKS show represents an education that extends beyond the classroom and into friendship.

“We are young artists, and we put this together,” Engelbert said. “This is what we put our heart and soul into.”

Reach editorial assistant Lexie Krell at arts@dailyuw.com.