This energetic group of seven young artists is at a formative point in their careers. Each artist presented is developing an individual voice, and as expected, the work is visceral and intuitive. All of the artists have recently finished their Bachelor of Fine Arts and are either enrolled in graduate school or working in their studios, and outside of the academic environment. As such, it is a challenging period for these young professionals. The seven artists featured in Launchings are off to a strong career start – each demonstrating the passion and talent required for professional success in the visual arts. Launchings is a small exhibit packed with big ideas, powerful images, and a “sneak peek” into the future of visual arts in Kentuckiana. James Brooner – narrative sculpture and animation; thought provoking and challenging pieces dealing with issues of identity and morals Mary Margaret Carlton – work deals with social issues on a personal and global scale and the minutia that society discards Shawn Gallagher – member of the burgeoning glass culture in Louisville; casting glass into body armor as statement of the futility of war and the fragility of man Sarah Hall – illustrator and bookmaker; two handcrafted books of beautiful, brittle (woodcut) prints that illustrate an epic poem and a story Julie Leidner – painterly works using traditional painting techniques to interrupt digital movie images Alex Schmitz – self-portraits using inanimate objects found in laundry baskets Jeremy Miller – surrealist paintings, using the figure in fantastical spaces