The Department of Art, Design, and Art History is hosting a free alumni exhibition, 40@100, of art the first day of work homecoming weekend, Friday, Sept. 25, from 6-8 pm. in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery, 8342 Big Bend Blvd. on the Webster Groves campus.

This exhibit will feature the recent works of at least 40 alumni artists during our centennial year—so 40@100!

This homecoming alumni event during Webster's centennial year is very significant because art was one of the original four areas of study offered at the Loretto College for Women.

Opening remarks will begin that evening at 6:45 p.m. from Provost and Senior Vice President Dr. Julian Schuster, Dept. of Art, Design, and Art History Chairman Tom Lang, Dr. Jeffrey Hughes, and alums Barbara Blades (BA 1960) and David Harmon (BFA 1977).

So please come and enjoy the evening's free exhibit as well as the drinks (wine, beer, and non-alcoholic) and hors d’oeuvres. Also feel free to tour the Visual Art Studio (VAS) facilities open house  that will also be going on as the same time.

This invitational exhibition is in recognition of the 40-year history of the B.F.A. degree as well as the seminal position that study of the visual arts has played in the 100-year history of Webster University, the community of Webster Groves, and the broader St. Louis region.  

These artist alumni are coming from as far away as Seattle, Washington, in the west to the great state of Maine in the east. The earliest alum featured is from 1960, and there is also a representative from our most recent graduating class in 2015. 

A photomontage of images of the art department through the years, a “surprise" video screening and more is also planned at this free event.

Many of these artists will be in attendance and happy talk with viewes and attendees.

Those artists whose work will be featured are: Barbara Blades, BA 1960; Sister Jeanne Dueber, BA 1962; Anne Tiegen, BA 1963; Mary Ellen Neff,  BA 1965; Jane Puerini,  BA 1968; Susan Fitzsimmons, BA 1970; Fred Nelson, BA 1971; Mimi Blotscheller, BA 1973; John McVicker, BA 1974; Julie Gaskill,  BA 1975; David E. Harmon, BFA 1977; Gary Passanise, BFA 1977; Susan Bostwick BA 1977; Debra Drexler, BA 1980; Kate Anderson, BA 1982; Pehr Smith, BFA 1984; Leslie Ulrich, BFA 1989; Tim Daly, BFA 1989; Tony Albrecht, BFA 1990; Tracy Ostmann, BFA 1992; Jessica Barnett Decuir, BFA 1993; Jill Foote-Hutton, BFA 1994; Laura Reinhardt Wiley, BFA 1995; Astra Price, BFA 1996; John Watson, BFA 1997; Adam Watkins, BFA 1997, 314-630-1971; Dan Broadfield, BA 1999, MA 2010; Christopher Paquet, BFA 1999; Jason Triefenbach, BFA 2000; Josh Welker, BFA 2000; Jenna Bauer, BFA 2000; Barry Macgregor Johnston BFA 2002; Alexa Hoyer, BFA 2003; Clark Stoeckley BFA 2005; Cheryl Childress BFA 2007; Jess Kiel-Wornson, BFA 2008; Lauren Stumpf, BFA 2011; Yvonne Osei, BFA 2013; Martin Lang, BFA 2013; Saylor Surkamp, BFA 2014; and Molly Brennan BFA 2015.

There will also be information curriculum vitaes with each piece about what the artists are currently doing.

Our Proud History

The original Webster college had a School of Arts, also a Conservatory of Music, Departments of Expression, and Home Economics. In short, there has been a degree in art at Webster University since its inception.  

In 1975, Webster University (then Webster College) increased the professional level of their visual arts degree options by establishing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree.

Today, the Department of Art, Design, and Art History offers the B.F.A. in several emphasis areas (e.g. painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, etc.), as well as a B.A. in Studio Art, B.A. in Art History and Criticism, M.A. in Studio Art and Art History and Criticism, and several certificate programs, including Art Therapy, and Curatorial Studies.