The Arts

Bonsack Gallery Presents Rachel Lebo: My Scarf and Her Blouse On view in the Bonsack Gallery through January 26

About the Exhibit

The Bonsack Gallery will open My Scarf and Her Blouse, an exhibition by St. Louis artist Rachel Lebo, on Friday, December 5, with a public reception from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Lebo, a cross-disciplinary artist, blends painting, sculpture, and storytelling to create works that unfold like short stories — rich with character, detail, and emotional tone, but without a traditional plot. Some figures originate in literature; others are inspired by the women in her life — friends, mentors, and family — and the sensationalized myths she has created around them. By stepping into these characters’ perspectives, Lebo uses material, pattern, color, and composition to offer glimpses into the fiction created between friends.

About the Artist

Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, and now based in St. Louis, Rachel Lebo received her MFA in visual arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 2019. During her studies, she was awarded the Ernestine Betsberg and Arthur Osver Scholarship, a Dubinsky Scholarship to attend the Fine Arts Work Center, and a Regional Arts Commission artist support grant. Recent solo exhibitions include Lilac Quilt at The Kling Family Gallery in St. Louis; I’m Rachel, But Let’s be Emily at The Foundry Art Center in St. Charles; and A Bull called Flamingo at the Granite City Art and Design District in Granite City, Illinois.

Last week, Burroughs welcomed Chicago-based artist Chris Arnold to campus. Chris, whose new exhibit "The Garden of Kith and Kin" is currently installed outside of Haertter Hall, visited the painting and drawing classes to share his journey as an artist, the inspirations that shaped his work, and what a daily creative practice looks like.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions, reflect on process, and consider how art can be both personal and connected to community.

Later, we welcomed the community to attend and engage with Chris's work during an evening reception.

Thank you for supporting the arts at Burroughs! Did you know that the Bonsack Gallery is open to the public, and has its own calendar? Check out the 2025-26 school year calendar here! We'd love to see you!

Earlier this month during Alumni Weekend, we celebrated the art of alums Rosalie Rosenthal `85 and David Stradal `75, on view through December 1!