Each year, UCR Sweeney Art Gallery hosts an exhibition of graduating seniors from the Department of Art at the University of California, Riverside. stimulate me features twenty-five students. The work of these students represents the quality of artistic practice and instruction of the Art Department’s distinguished faculty: John Divola, Jill Giegerich, Jim Isermann, Brandon Lattu, Charles Long, Erika Suderburg, Melissa Thorne and Amir Zaki.

UCR Art Department’s MFA Thesis and Senior Thesis exhibitions are distinctive because they are the only graduating student exhibitions in Southern California that are presented in an off-campus, public setting on a regular basis. Raising the bar of professionalism through such a public presentation not only assists the students in their future careers, but also brings attention to how UC Riverside views art as a unique and important intersection between campus and the community. Sweeney acknowledges the following for their support: Dean Stephen Cullenberg, the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; The Maxwell H. Gluck Foundation; UCR graduate student Cameron Crone for assistance with photography; Art faculty members Jim Isermann, Jill Giegerich and Brandon Lattu.