Exciting updates from Illinois State University Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in art students and alumni, including awards, honors, and exhibitions.

Madelyn Turner-Havens ’25, M.F.A. in painting

Madelyn Turner-Havens’ work was featured in the exhibition Radical Joy at Heaven Gallery in Wicker Park. The show, curated by Kailyn Perry, featured six Chicago painters and ran from November 1 to December 8, 2024.

“This is my first show that I was curated into in Chicago, and I was so thankful for Heaven Gallery and Kailyn Perry (curator) for reaching out and asking me to be in the show,” said Turner-Havens. “It was a surreal experience having a show with successful Chicago artists. I have made some really great friends from that show that I am so thankful for. They really lifted me up, and it was such a joy to be a part of and see come together!”

Amy Yeager ’23, M.F.A. in painting/drawing

Amy Yeager is the recipient of several recent awards including a Creative Accelerator Fund grant from the Illinois Arts Council (February 2025), a third place win at the Miami University Young Painters Competition (Juror: Alexis Rockman, February 2025), an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant (February 2025), and a Creative Catalyst grant from the Illinois Arts Council (October 2024).

Japheth Aseidu-Kwarteng ’22, M.F.A. in ceramics

Japheth Aseidu-Kwarteng’s solo exhibition titled Burden of Proof ran from December 21, 2024, to March 16, 2025, at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas.

“Japeth Asiedu-Kwarteng’s handmade artworks amalgamate terrain, textiles, living beings, and language in perceptive and surprising ways. The artist’s works are deeply informed by his own experience: growing up and living in Ghana, where he learned traditional methods for mining and working with clay, as well as the cultural history of Kente; residing across the ocean from his wife and two young children while he was enrolled in a three-year M.F.A. program in the United States (at Illinois State University); and navigating the continued difficulties of the visa process as he builds his artistic, professional, and familial life in southern Texas,” writes Kendra Paitz, director and chief curator of University Galleries. “And in the artist’s stated goal to ‘use this voice to be the voice of the ‘voiceless,’ to share my story and the importance of family; to highlight the plight of being an immigrant/non-immigrant; (and) create a space of belonging and strength,’ Asiedu-Kwarteng is ‘gently dropping the wonder.’” 

Emily Lehman ’19, M.F.A.

Emily Lehman served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Dickinson College (through spring 2026). She taught a range of classes that include introductory classes in painting and drawing, advanced classes in painting and drawing, and digital media classes surveying digital drawing and video-making processes.

She had a body of recent paintings titled lufroloolorful on display at Goodyear Gallery, the on-campus gallery space at Dickinson College. She had a solo show in Schaumburg last summer and has had paintings selected for recent group shows in Michigan and Wisconsin. 

Ryan Paluczak ’18, M.F.A

Ryan Paluczak’s solo exhibition, People Pleaser, was on view at the River Campus Art Annex Gallery at Southeast Missouri State University from February 18 to March 18, 2025.

With images made during 2023 and 2024, People Pleaser features motifs such as windows, mirrors, portals, scallops, cast shadows, and reflections.

“These photographs are snapshots of everyday life, highlighting the many surprises that can be found in ordinary existence. This body of work is a result of focused attention on light as it interacts with various surfaces and materials. These images sit in poetic relationship with one another while celebrating the visual richness that is always present,” said Paluczak

Paluczak was also a featured guest on Studio Break Podcast, available to listen here.

Are you a Wonsook Kim School of Art Master of Fine Arts alum with news to share? Keep us updated, we would love to feature you in a future highlight!