Fourth-year Bachelor of Fine Arts student Frederick Thacker puts the finishing touches on a drawing that will be part of the year-end exhibition that will open to the public starting Thursday, April 17.
Who: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Media Studies students
What: Everything and Then Some, fourth-year art exhibition
Where: Creative and Critical Studies Building, 1148 Research Road, UBC Okanagan
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 17, 5 to 9 pm
Exhibition: April 17 to 25, open daily from 10 am to 4 pm
Known as a much-anticipated event, the annual showcase for graduating art students at UBC Okanagan is set to open its doors next week.
The year-end exhibition for students graduating from UBCO’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Media Studies (BMS) programs marks a milestone moment for this year’s class, says Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies Studio Instructor David Doody.
“This annual exhibition is the culmination of four years of dedication, exploration and artistic growth from our students and encapsulates the excitement surrounding the completion of their degrees,” says Doody. “This is by far my favourite time of the year—watching our students approaching the home stretch of their degree. Over the past four years, they have honed their skills and polished their crafts, and now are ready to share their work with the community.”
This year’s exhibition is titled Everything and Then Some and Doody notes the prolific work of the graduating students created a bit of a challenge for organizers.
“The 2025 collection is particularly huge and we were worried about fitting everyone’s works in the show, in a way that also supports their practice,” says Doody. “The sheer volume of projects is a testament to the dedication of our students.”
Everything and Then Some not only represents the individual achievements of each artist but also the deep-rooted sense of community created throughout their academic journey, explains BMS student Landen Kielpinski.
“I want to applaud all my peers for the countless hours of dedication and creativity that went into this exhibition,” he says. “This final showcase is not merely a culmination of our hard work but a celebration of our time together at UBCO.”
BFA student Frederick Thacker elaborates on this sentiment and the close ties created by the graduating students.
“Sharing studios with the same people for four years creates a strong bond. I’m going to miss everyone.”
Doody says the fourth-year BFA and BMS art show is more than an exhibition—it is a celebration of passion, community and creative expression of the graduating students.
“We have such an amazing group of talented individuals. These students have put their heart and soul into this exhibition,” says Doody. “It is just so great to see the fruits of their labours, their hard work and their dedication. Everyone should experience this extraordinary collection of work and witness the next generation of creatives take centre stage.”
The community is welcome to the on-campus opening reception on April 17, from 6 to 9 pm. Everything and Then Some is a free, public exhibit and is open daily from April 17 to 25, from 10 am to 4 pm.
For more information visit: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/bfa-exhibition.
