Madison Ciaccio, a senior art therapy major from Mahomet, Ill., is the 2017 Robert Harrison Crowder Artist-in-Residence at Blue Connection, Millikin's student-run retail art gallery. She is currently studying painting and drawing, and works under the guidance of Professor Lyle Salmi, chair of the Art Department at Millikin. Ciaccio will showcase her artwork at Blue Connection from May 22 – June 30.
Inspired by the complexities of the human form, Ciaccio addresses concepts of ambiguity and existence and finds herself drawn to specific color palettes and emotions.
"Being offered the residency at Blue Connection couldn't have come at a better time," said Ciaccio. "This past semester I've started to figure out what my work means to me and how to make it successful. Being given the opportunity to further explore that is really exciting."
Ciaccio's mixed media work depicts the human form addressing boundaries of reality and questions of mortality. Her paintings attempt to evoke a sort of personal reflection and understanding of human existence.
Ciaccio is also documenting her work in new ways, such as GoPro video, time lapse and process photos.
"Coming into college, I never expected that I would be able to do something like this," said Ciaccio. "It's helpful especially for what I'll be doing after college because of the interactions I will have with people and businesses."
Opened in 2003, Blue Connection is Millikin University's student-run retail art gallery located in the Madden Arts Center in downtown Decatur, Ill., and is currently led by program coordinator and adjunct faculty member Kate Flemming. Focused on arts and specialty businesses, the retail location is used by students in Millikin's Arts Entrepreneurship Program to grow their businesses. Products are conceived, designed and/or crafted by the students who sell them.
For more information about Millikin University's Blue Connection, visit blueconnectionartgallery.com or contact the gallery at 217.428.0112.