In preparation for their senior Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) exhibition, two illustration seniors are turning their final projects into more than just a showcase; they’re building community connections through fundraising at Tea Time Cafe.
The shared senior BFA exhibition, “Phantasia,” represents months of planning, experimentation and dedication — something that often comes with financial challenges. “Phantasia” will be displayed at 106 Gallery from April 24 to May 1, with an opening reception April 24 from 6-9 p.m.
“Phantasia” artists Rebecca Slayton and Emily Ryan are completing books, both children’s and comics, to showcase their artistic ability and communicate through illustrations. Assisting in their exhibition, Tea Time Cafe, a local hotspot for GVSU students, provided its space for fundraising.
Last Saturday’s Tea Time customers who mentioned “Phantasia” at checkout contributed directly to the show’s costs, including setup and catering. In addition to assisting with the financial burdens of the exhibit, the fundraiser served as another way for the community to get involved and show support.
Ryan explained that she reached out to the cafe directly after learning about their past collaborations with GVSU groups. Their willingness to partner highlights the importance of local support for student artists.
“Having support from a local business helps our show reach an audience outside of GVSU,” Ryan said. “It shows that the business supports illustrative work and aspiring artists.”
Ryan’s BFA project, “Strawbeary’s Picnic,” is a 32-page children’s book introducing her original characters, the “Beary Bears.” Each character is designed around a fruit theme, blending bright, cheerful concepts with detailed character development.
Created using colored pencils on tan paper, the project reflects both technical growth and an interest in building a recognizable brand. A sample of the book will be on display at the exhibition, with plans to continue and publish the work after graduation.
Her inspiration is rooted in both personal experience and childhood media. With a mother who works as an elementary school librarian, Ryan hopes to one day see her book on those shelves. She also credits nostalgic influences like “My Little Pony,” “Strawberry Shortcake” and “Care Bears” for shaping her creative direction.
“I’ve always loved drawing cartoon characters,” Ryan said. “This project has inspired me to dive deeper into new materials, worldbuilding and character design.”
Slayton brings a very different tone to the exhibition with her project, “Gravestones,” a 13-page digital comic. After transferring to GVSU in 2023, Slayton focused on narrative-based illustration, developing her passion for storytelling through sequential art. Her comic follows a young woman named Glady as she searches for the grave of someone she’s lost in a post-apocalyptic world filled with gravestones.
Through “Gravestones,” Slayton explores themes of persistence, purpose and the idea of chosen family.
“I chose to do a comic for my show because I love telling stories and being able to share that story with others,” Slayton said.
The project reflects not only her artistic style but a growth in confidence and independence.
“With the help of my peers and professors, I was able to improve, gain confidence in my work and complete a finished comic that I am excited to share,” Slayton said.
While their artistic styles differ, both students emphasize the importance of presenting a project they have fully developed on their own. They encourage students and community members to follow the exhibition on social media, including the student-run account @phantasiagvsu. For Ryan, support means engaging with her personal work online and beyond as she continues developing her book after graduation.
With the fundraiser wrapping up, the collaboration between students and Tea Time Cafe serves as a reminder that art doesn’t exist in isolation. It grows through connections among artists, audiences and the local community, helping bring creative visions to life.
