On the evening of April 4, the School of Art & Art History at the College of Design, Art & Performance isn’t just opening its doors — it’s blowing the roof off. This is ArtHouse XXV, and it is pure creative voltage.
"This year’s ArtHouse marks a quarter century of pushing the boundaries of art education and celebrating the incredible achievements of our students. We've packed all these exciting events into one unforgettable night, inviting the community to join us in celebration as we close out the year with a bang!" —Andrew Scott Ross, Professor and Director, School of Art & Art History
Now in its 25th year, ArtHouse has evolved from a student showcase into a full-blown creative takeover — part exhibition, part open house, part music fest, and entirely a love letter to what happens when vision meets momentum. From emerging visual artists to young scholars of art history, the night unfolds across the very buildings that have shaped these students’ practices.
The lineup? Impressive.
It starts with the Art History Symposium, where students anonymously submitted research papers for blind review. Faculty jurors Riccardo Marchi and Esra Akin-Kivanc will select this year’s winners — both graduate and undergraduate — who’ll present their work live. It’s a chance to see how art history moves forward in the hands of sharp new voices.
As night falls, the energy shifts to two of the school’s most iconic spaces: the Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery and the USF Contemporary Art Museum. USF Contemporary Art Museum and Graphicstudio Director Margaret Miller introduces the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) graduating class before passing the mic to Andrew Scott Ross, who announces this year’s juried exhibition award winners.
The talent? Undeniable. The recognition? Well-earned. The moment? Unforgettable.
This year’s Juried Student Exhibition, on view in the Carolyn M. Wilson Gallery, will be selected by high-profile guest juror Klaudio Rodriguez, the newly appointed Executive Director and CEO of the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg.
This year, ArtHouse XXV also includes a special appearance by featured alumnus Mason Dowling, whose artwork is featured on a commemorative poster produced for the event. Mason is flying in from New York City to sign a limited edition of posters, which will be available for sale during the night.
ArtHouse XXV takes over the Fine Arts Building with open studios, affordable student art for sale, and live music echoing through the courtyard. Emo Night Tampa brings the soundtrack, with sets from Sorry Barb, Sintell Terry, and The Collegies filling the air with grit and emotion.
It’s all here: ART. Alive, immediate, and personal.
There’s something electric about walking into a studio mid-process. You don’t just see the work — you feel the questions behind it. The rough edges, the breakthroughs, the not-quite-there-yets. That’s what makes ArtHouse singular. It doesn’t just celebrate student work — it celebrates the act of becoming.
And that’s what gives it staying power. Twenty-five years in, ArtHouse isn’t just a tradition — it’s a snapshot of artistic momentum. A glimpse into the ideas and aesthetics that matter to the next generation of creatives.
In a world defined by speed and saturation, ArtHouse XXV invites us to slow down and really see. To witness what’s next — not in the distant future, but right here, in the minds and hands of USF’s student artists. And if this year is any indication, what’s next isn’t coming. It’s already here.
Event Details
ArtHouse XXV
April 4, 2025
8PM–11PM
Schedule Highlights
- Art History Symposium — 5 PM
- MFA Opening: Thank You in Advance — 7–9 PM
- 48th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition — 8–10 PM
- Live music in the FAH courtyard by Emo Night Tampa