Becoming is the senior thesis project of Stamps School of Art & Design student Elsa Olander. It is a multidisciplinary exhibition that traces her artistic evolution from high school student in Kenya to graduating college senior in the U.S. It explores personal growth through material experimentation, identity formation, and cultural hybridity. The work features 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D work; each piece serving as a visual artifact of transformation.

Becoming isn’t about arriving. It’s about highlighting the moments that get us there. The doubt, discovery, and growth that shape who we are. It’s a reminder to learn from the past and plan for the future, but most importantly to live in the present. We become who we are not just through all the choices we make, but through the people we surround ourselves with, the information we take-in, and what we choose to believe or question.

“This exhibition is about my growth and process, but it’s not singular. Many of my family members, including my mother, aren’t able to attend my graduation due to the ongoing visa ban affecting several African countries. This show is my way of honoring their presence in my life, acknowledging where I’ve come from, and sharing my journey with those who may not be able to witness it in person. My hope is that viewers see these works not just as a portrait of my evolution, but as an invitation to reflect, relate, and reimagine their own paths of becoming.”
-Elsa Olander

Becoming: My Journey Through Stamps
Exhibition Dates: April 30 – May 22, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 30, 5:30 – 8 p.m. (RSVP Recommended)
Duderstadt Center Gallery