“Perspectives of Inclusion,” an exhibition of works by Southeast Missouri State University student artists Aaron McIntosh, Kaiola Sooman and Wendell T. Stapleton II, is on view through Friday, Dec. 3 at The Nest Gallery at Southeast’s River Campus.
The exhibition is currently on display on the first floor of the Seminary Building, behind the River Campus Gallery. A closing reception for “Perspectives of Inclusion” will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3.
In this exhibition, the artists attempt to challenge the meaning and value of inclusion through works that can be viewed as inclusive and/or exclusive. The interpretation of the works relies on the viewer and their own notions of inclusion. The work questions who inclusion applies to, how the meaning of inclusion changes from one person to the next, why the inclusion of others should be valued and if this work should speak to the value of inclusion.
McIntosh, a sophomore fine arts major from Kansas City, Missouri, studied art as a hobby during summers at the Kansas City Art Institute before transferring to Southeast. “Perspectives of Inclusion” is his first exhibition, and he credits the other exhibit artists for encouraging him to participate.
Sooman is a sophomore fine arts, painting major from Texarkana, Arkansas. She has been featured in several exhibitions, including a 2020 solo exhibition at Texas A&M University. She has also participated in a number of art contests and is the 2019 Doodle4Google winner for the state of Missouri. Sooman looks forward to taking her artwork to the next level during her time at Southeast with the hope of one day becoming a professor of fine art.
Stapleton of Memphis, Tennessee, is a 2021 Southeast graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in higher education administration. Stapleton is known for his dynamic work and approach to figurative art. His images are often accompanied by the addition of hand-carved patterns in the background.
The Nest Gallery is located on the first floor of the Seminary Building and is an intimate exhibition space reserved for Southeast students interested in group exhibitions. Hours of operation are from 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. All gallery exhibitions, events and talks are free and open to the public.
Photo caption: "Incognito" by Southeast student artist Aaron Mcintosh as part of the "Perspective of Inclusion" Nest Gallery exhibition.