‘I Can’t Draw’ exhibition highlights community art
The ninth annual UPRISING art exhibition at St. Olaf College, titled “I Can’t Draw,” confronts the pervasive anxiety surrounding art-making — an anxiety rooted in the belief that “real” art must be technically perfect and traditionally trained, especially within 2D media.
“I Can’t Draw” creates communal spaces where people are invited to make art together, free from judgment and expectations of mastery. Works such as “Self-Acceptance Is My Oasis of Serenity” emerged from this collective ethos, valuing expression, vulnerability, and presence over technical precision.
The exhibition is also participatory — visitors are encouraged to contribute live by adding their own drawings to two evolving pieces within the gallery. In doing so, the boundary between artist and audience dissolves, emphasizing process over product and community over individual authorship.
Founded in 2018 by Shaquille Brown ’19, UPRISING is a student-curated exhibit that celebrates Black history, culture, and identity through the visual and performing arts. This year’s exhibit was curated by Yorkabiel Desta ’28, Samuel Antwi ’26, Ariel Edwards ’26, Juliana Kidde ’26, Fimidara Olufade ’28, and Ashley Kundai Njanike ’28.
“Each member of the team is drawn to UPRISING for a different reason, but we share an interest in art that captivates audiences in unique ways,” Edwards says.
The exhibition is open February 13–27 in the Groot Gallery in the Center for Art and Dance. It is free and open to the public. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 13, offering visitors the opportunity to meet the student curators and artists behind this year’s show.
Learn more about visiting the exhibit on the Flaten Art Museum web page.