ILL: Student Illustration in the Spotlight

Since its debut in March of this year, the ILL Exhibition has returned for a second time at CU Denver’s Experience Gallery, located across from the Buell Theatre within the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Showcasing thirty works by undergraduate students from CU Denver’s College of Arts and Media, the exhibition features a wide range of artistic styles and tones, all unified by illustration as the central medium of expression. Over the years, CU Denver and the broader Auraria campus have hosted numerous student exhibitions, from Guilty, the main CU Denver showcase at the Emmanuel Gallery, to smaller study-abroad and class-based shows at Experience Gallery. Nevertheless, ILL stands out as something distinct: an exhibition that not only highlights student work but also champions illustration as a discipline that bridges art, design, and storytelling. 

According to Charles Valsechi, program director for Illustration as well as juror and curator for the last ILL exhibition back in March, the exhibition began as a way to bring greater visibility to Illustration students and celebrate their work. Working in collaboration with Andrew Palamara, gallery manager and coordinator for both Emmanuel and Experience galleries, ILL also began as a platform for mentorship and professional development. Each iteration invites guest artists, such as Ashley Dreyfus and Natalie Andrewson, to help jury the exhibition and engage with students through workshops, talks, and portfolio reviews. This focus on professional growth distinguishes ILL from other student exhibitions, positioning it as both a celebration of student work and a unique educational opportunity to learn directly from established illustrators in the field. In addition to this, the works featured in both the spring and fall ILL exhibitions will be submitted to the Society of Illustrators Student Competition, providing students with valuable opportunities and potential for national recognition and exposure within the industry. 

Walking through Experience Gallery, visitors encounter a striking diversity of illustrative voices. Some works lean into traditional methods using graphite, ink, and watercolor, while others explore digital painting through character and environment driven compositions. Juror Natalie Andrewson selected works for this exhibition with an emphasis on character and storytelling, and that curatorial vision is very evident throughout the show. As you walk into the gallery and look at the works, each piece has incredible detail. From intricate patterns on clothing, environments that feel both whimsical and lived in, facial expressions that catch the eye, and even botanical illustrations, there’s little bits and pieces to latch onto as a viewer. The selected pieces vary in tone and subject matter, with some being playful character expressions and others being more emotionally layered, narrative driven illustrations. Each invites the audience to immerse themselves in the unique worlds and stories being depicted. 

In an era where visual storytelling has become increasingly important in expressing emotion, identity, and shared experience, the ILL Exhibition stands as a reminder of how powerful illustration can be in shaping our understanding of the human expression and experience. Charles Valsechi notes that ILL was designed to celebrate a kind of artistic practice often overlooked in fine arts contexts. While many student exhibitions focus on conceptual or traditional fine arts, ILL intentionally highlights commercially oriented illustration as an equally significant form of creative expression. Valsechi explains that the show aims to shift perceptions by saying that “after a long period of that work being considered kitsch or less than other kinds of art, it’s an attempt to change that momentum. People can make the kinds of work they love, regardless of the style or genre of art.” Therefore, through ILL, the program seeks to challenge that hierarchy, validating the creativity and skill that illustration demands, but beyond celebrating technical ability, ILL also reinforces the importance of storytelling and personal voice. Valsechi emphasizes that exhibitions like this one reminds students that “this work is valued by the people around them. That we celebrate people putting in the work to make exceptional work. And that they can tell the stories and communicate the ideas that need to be told.” The ILL Exhibition opened earlier this month on the 9th and closed late last week on the 19th. With anticipation already building for next year’s iteration, set as of now for Fall 2026, it can be expected that the tradition will continue to grow in impact, showcasing even more diverse and expressive artwork that demonstrates the importance of supporting and celebrating emerging artists, providing a platform for student voices to be heard and appreciated.