The UCF Art Gallery opened its 2026 Master of Fine Arts exhibition with an opening reception on Thursday evening. Artwork in multiple mediums, from soft sculpture and welded figures to traditional paintings are on display for visitors in the exhibit titled “The Rooms We Build.”
This exhibition showcases the thesis work of six MFA studio art and design students: Alberto Alonso, Stacie Becker, Alissa Burch, Nelson Garcia, Kenyari Gil Rosario and Angelina Palmisano.
Garcia said that the name came from all of the artists realizing that each of them was involved in the creation of their own little universes, which, in the gallery, converge together in a sort of “house.”
“We realized in one way or another, each of us was involved in either the building of physical spaces, or sort of psychological spaces,” Garcia said. “So across the board, we’re all trying to build space and make a space that’s either comforting to us or to others or to a community.”
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Gallery guests admire one of MFA studio art and design student Alissa Burch’s pieces at the 2026 MFA Exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
A gallery attendee immerses himself in MFA studio art and design student and professional muralist Angelina Palmisano’s piece, titled “The Safety of the Realm,” at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
Gallery visitors view MFA studio art and design student Kenyari Gil Rosario’s piece, “The Sound that Surrounds,” at the 2026 MFA Exhibition “The Rooms We Build” in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
Gallery-goers immerse themselves in one of MFA studio art and design students Alberto Alonso’s pieces made of a window from his home in Puerto Rico at the 2026 MFA Exhibition Thursday evening.
Alexis Lawrence, UCF alumna, and her partner, Sulay Roque, admire MFA Studio Art and Design student Stacie Beckers’ piece, titled “Half Life,” at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
An onlooker admires MFA studio art and design student Nelson Garcia’s piece, titled “Fruit Tree,” at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
MFA studio art and design student Alberto Alonso celebrates his gallery appearance with family and friends, receiving flowers and giving out Puerto Rican flags at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition on Thursday evening.
Gallery-goers color on pages created by MFA Studio Art and Design student Kenyari Gil Rosario’s collaborative mural at the 2026 MFA Exhibition in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
MFA Studio Art and Design student Stacie Beckers’ pieces, “Half Life” (left) and “Funeral” (right), were displayed next to each other at the 2026 MFA Exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
An onlooker gazes at MFA studio art and design student Nelson Garcia’s pieces “Hardly Workin’ (It’s OK, Take it Easy)” and “Caulk Worship” at the 2026 MFA Exhibition in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
MFA studio art and design student Nelson Garcia’s piece, “Untitled (Caulk),” reflects the intersection of his queerness and traditional masculinity at the 2026 MFA Exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday.
Attendees admire MFA studio art and design student Stacie Becker’s work at the 2026 MFA Art Gallery, “The Rooms We Build,” on Thursday night.
A gallery visitor views MFA studio art and design student Kenyari Gil Rosario’s pieces at the 2026 MFA Exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
Gallery guests admire one of MFA studio art and design student Alissa Burch’s pieces at the 2026 MFA Exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
A gallery attendee immerses himself in MFA studio art and design student and professional muralist Angelina Palmisano’s piece, titled “The Safety of the Realm,” at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
Gallery visitors view MFA studio art and design student Kenyari Gil Rosario’s piece, “The Sound that Surrounds,” at the 2026 MFA Exhibition “The Rooms We Build” in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
Gallery-goers immerse themselves in one of MFA studio art and design students Alberto Alonso’s pieces made of a window from his home in Puerto Rico at the 2026 MFA Exhibition Thursday evening.
Alexis Lawrence, UCF alumna, and her partner, Sulay Roque, admire MFA Studio Art and Design student Stacie Beckers’ piece, titled “Half Life,” at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
An onlooker admires MFA studio art and design student Nelson Garcia’s piece, titled “Fruit Tree,” at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
MFA studio art and design student Alberto Alonso celebrates his gallery appearance with family and friends, receiving flowers and giving out Puerto Rican flags at the “The Rooms We Build” exhibition on Thursday evening.
Gallery-goers color on pages created by MFA Studio Art and Design student Kenyari Gil Rosario’s collaborative mural at the 2026 MFA Exhibition in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
MFA Studio Art and Design student Stacie Beckers’ pieces, “Half Life” (left) and “Funeral” (right), were displayed next to each other at the 2026 MFA Exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
An onlooker gazes at MFA studio art and design student Nelson Garcia’s pieces “Hardly Workin’ (It’s OK, Take it Easy)” and “Caulk Worship” at the 2026 MFA Exhibition in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
MFA studio art and design student Nelson Garcia’s piece, “Untitled (Caulk),” reflects the intersection of his queerness and traditional masculinity at the 2026 MFA Exhibition at the UCF Art Gallery Thursday.
Attendees admire MFA studio art and design student Stacie Becker’s work at the 2026 MFA Art Gallery, “The Rooms We Build,” on Thursday night.
A gallery visitor views MFA studio art and design student Kenyari Gil Rosario’s pieces at the 2026 MFA Exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” in the UCF Art Gallery Thursday evening.
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The UCF Art Gallery launched its 2026 Master of Fine Arts exhibition, “The Rooms We Build,” …