By Hollie Knapp-Fisher, Communications Intern

The largest ever graduating class from the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program is hosting its 30th annual year-end exhibition. Where the Line is Drawn will feature 31 students in a number of different areas of the visual arts that the organizers hope will both impress and inspire.

“In their fourth year the students are in a supervised study where they are supported and guided by staff,” says BFA Program Director Kathleen Sellars. “This artistic freedom allows our students to demonstrate their diversity and broad range of interests. Paintings, sculptures and interactive installations will all be present at the exhibition.”

The exhibition allows Queen’s professors to offer their feedback to the students. And for the first time, professional artists from outside of the department -- Dan Hughes, Don Maynard and Milly Ristvedt --will critique the works. This opportunity allows students to get a different perspective on their work and adds to the experiential learning aspect of the entire event.

Otis Tamasauskas, a professor in the BFA program, says the works in the exhibition has the potential to appeal to people who dismiss art as something they don’t understand.

“This year, in particular, we have a wide variety of different pieces to experience, explore and discover,” says Professor Tamasauskas. “The BFA program at Queen’s is flourishing and the creative spirit of our students will allow for everyone to experience some of what the visual arts can offer.”

Hosting an exhibition of this magnitude required a lot of time and effort on behalf of the students. This year through fundraising efforts the class raised more than $10,000. This money goes towards hosting the event, printing and producing a catalog of the artists and their work as well as the beautiful closing reception.

“Fundraising and preparing for this has been a year-long process,” says Rachael Dodgson (Artsci’14), co-chair of the planning committee. “It has been a lot of work but I’m very excited to present my work alongside all the amazing people I have spent the last four years with.”

The exhibition in Ontario Hall will open April 21 and close on April 26. It will be open from 9 am until 4 pm daily, with tours provided. The closing reception on Saturday will be held between 7-10 pm. The free exhibition is open to the public.