Xavier University Expected Graduation May 2026
Ian McIlvain
Image from a video created by Ian McIlvain and Nadia Namyar for an upcoming exhibition on January 16th, 2026 from 5-7pm in the Xavier University Art Gallery
Artist Statement: My work pushes back on oppression from rampant dehumanization and isolation using interdisciplinary symbolic and silhouette art making supplemented with creative writing. Communicating in a multitude of ways while breaking bread with our neighbors empowers authentic storytelling that makes us stronger in our commonalities and illuminates unique views to challenge oppressive systems. This ultimately leads to building community coalitions to take actionable steps to support our neighbors and advocate for meaningful change.
Ian McIlvain is an undergraduate, art student at Xavier University in his senior year. He will receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in May 2026 majoring in Art with concentrations in painting and printmaking. Additionally, he has minors in both Arts Administration as well as Entrepreneurship and Innovation. During his time at Xavier, he was the President of Xavier Art Society for two years inviting students of all majors to explore different mediums while also providing personal and professional development opportunities. Additionally, Ian spent two summers at Co-op Cincy developing marketing content and working with community businesses to create equitable, family-sustaining jobs.
He is a Cincinnati, Ohio native and grew up surrounded by artistic family members, leading to a love of storytelling and the arts at a young age. Throughout childhood, he used art as a method to express himself and bring joy and authenticity to others.
Ian has exhibited artwork in the Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center, Xavier University, the Fitton Center, the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, the Ensemble Theater, and more. Additionally, he has a range of curatorial and gallery experience as a Gallery Assistant for 4 years in the Xavier Art Gallery aiding in the install, takedown, and receptions for exhibitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I’m heavily influenced by surrealist art that combines the real world and illusions of the subconscious mind. Using symbolic references creates a moment of reflection and contemplation. Some examples of my symbolic imagery include the game monopoly representing capitalism and greed, a cardinal representing family that has passed, a Black-Eyed Susan as a family crest symbol, a shining lantern as hope and optimism, and much more. These are infused throughout the work with some being more overt to the audience and others taking longer to recognize and decipher. Utilizing this tool helps me hold the viewers’ attention and stimulate deeper level thinking about how we each view the world. I am creating work that portrays specific views of the world and the subsequent meanings objects hold for different people. This can sometimes align with the viewer’s experiences and other times juxtaposes with different outlooks. This is the catalyst to conversation because someone can connect with an object and have a similar and/or unique story, history, and view on it.
-
If you are interested in a collaboration with Ian, please reach out via the interest form available on the contact page. Include a brief introduction about yourself, a description of the potential project if you have started one, your vision for the collaboration, and/or any relevant portfolio pieces or references.
Ian will reach back out to you soon and looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate with new people. Working together on innovative projects is something he is genuinely excited about, and he is eager to explore how we can create meaningful and impactful art together.
-
To stay updated, you can subscribe to Ian’s newsletter. This is the best way to receive direct updates about new interdisciplinary work, potential opportunities, and community events before anyone else. Simply scroll to the bottom of the website and sign up with your email under the heading, Newsletter, to join a community inspired by creativity and collective well-being. Whether you’re developing a hobby, sharing your creative vision, or expanding your artistic practice; this newsletter will keep you connected and inspired every step of the way.
-
Currently, people interested in purchasing artwork from Ian McIlvain can submit an inquiry through the contact form available on the contact tab. This process allows you to express your interest, ask questions, and receive detailed information about specific pieces.
While the storefront is in development, this method ensures direct communication and personalized service for each inquiry. You can expect timely responses helping through the purchasing process.
-
Commissions are accepted in a limited capacity to maintain the quality and integrity of each project. If you are interested in commissioning a piece, please fill out the contact form on the contact tab with your details and project ideas. You will be contacted if a commission slot becomes available.
CV / Resume
Education
Wyoming High School, High School Diploma, Cincinnati, OH, May 2022
Xavier University, Bachelor of Arts (Concentration in Painting and Printmaking), Cincinnati, OH, Anticipated Graduation May 2026
Xavier University, Minor in Arts Administration, Cincinnati, OH, Anticipated Graduation May 2026
Xavier University, Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Cincinnati, OH, Anticipated Graduation May 2026
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Pattern Play screen-printing workshop with Jen Hewett, Gatlinburg, TN, August 2024
Honors / Awards / Grants
Scholastic Art Award
Silver Key, 2019
Bronze Key and Honorable Mention, 2021
Emerging Artist Award – Wyoming High School, 2021
Art Department Senior Honor - Wyoming High School, 2022
Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH) Mother McAuley Art Scholarship Recipient, 2022 - 2026
Boutilier Family Art Scholarship Recipient, 2024
Arrowmont (Gatlinburg, TN) Windgate Fellowship Scholarship Recipient, 2024
Xavier University Paul L. O’Connor Scholarship Recipient, 2025
Third Place in the EcoGrief Juried Exhibition, 2025
Publications
Dunn, Briana, “Week of Peace Inspires Student Art”, Xavier Newswire, September 2022 https://xaviernewswire.com/2022/09/28/week-of-peace-inspires-student-art/
Hilley, Sidney, “Interview with Our All-Star Summer Intern, Ian McIlvain”, September 2024, Co-op Cincy https://coopcincy.org/updates/2024/9/3/interview-with-our-all-star-summer-intern-ian-mcilvan
“Artistonish: Issue #51”, Artistonish Magazine, October 2024, https://www.artistonish.com/p/october2024.html
McIlvain, Ian, “Is Xavier Creative?”, Xavier College of Arts and Sciences Blog, November 2024, https://www.xavier.edu/cas/blog/2024/11/are-you-creative
“For a Better World 2025: Poems and Drawings on Peace and Justice”, SOS Art, June 2025, https://sosartcincinnati.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/book-of-poetry-2025-small.pdf
Exhibitions
2026 Committed
“Cold Dinner and a Show”, Group exhibition with Nadia Namyar in the Cohen Art Gallery located at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, January 2026
“Summerfair Cincinnati: Emerging Artists”, Invitational, group exhibition hosted by Summerfair and located at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 2026
“TITLE”, Solo thesis exhibition in the Cohen Art Gallery located at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, May 2026
2025
“Golden Ticket”, Juried, group exhibition located at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, November – December 2025
“Seniors Blooming” Self-curated group, student show at Gallagher Student Center located at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, October 2025
“Next to Normal”, Juried, group exhibition located at the Cincinnati Ensemble Theater in Cincinnati, Ohio, September – October 2025
“SOS Art 2025”, Group show hosted by SOS Art Cincinnati and held at the Art Academy of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH, June – July 2025
“52nd Hamilton Current”, Juried, Group exhibition located at the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Cincinnati, OH, April – June 2025
“Change”, Juried, Group exhibition located at the Kennedy Heights Art Center in Cincinnati, OH, March – June 2025
“The Collective: Student Protests”, Self-curated group, student show at the International Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati, OH, March 31st – April 14th 2025
“Weston Works Art Challenge”, Group show at the Weston Art Gallery in Cincinnati, OH, March – April 2025
“It Means Something to Me: Look Closer”, Solo exhibition at Gallagher Student Center located at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, March 2025
“Eco-Grief: The Art of Lament”, Juried, Group exhibition located in Gallagher Student Center at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH and sponsored by The Brueggeman Center and the Xavier Department of Art, January 2025
2024
“Chaos and Harmony”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Exhibizone in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, December 2024 – February 2025, https://www.exhibizone.com/p/chaosandharmony2025.html?AW=AW127020212
“Spectrum”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Gallerium in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, December 2024 – February 2025
“Exposed”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Exhibizone in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, November 2024 – January 2025, https://www.exhibizone.com/p/exposed2024.html?AW=AW127831072
“Lost”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Gallerium in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, November 2024 – January 2025,
https://www.gallerium.art/p/lost-2024.html?AW=AW127009216
“Vanishing Worlds”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Exhibizone in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, November 2024 – January 2025 https://www.exhibizone.com/p/vanishingworld2024.html?AW=AW127831072
“Biafarin 4th Annual Awards”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Biafarin in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, October – December 2024 https://www.biafarin.com/p/ba2024.html?AW=AW127009216
“Elements (Earth, Wind, Air, Fire, X)”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Exhibizone in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, October – December 2024, https://www.exhibizone.com/p/elements2024.html?AW=AW127221792
“Lights, Shadows Reflections”, Juried, Group online exhibition organized by Gallerium in the Biafarin Online Exhibition venue, October – December 2024 https://www.gallerium.art/p/lights-shadows-reflections-2024.html?TP=artists&ARID=2440602000233724690
“From the Mind”, Self-curated group, student printmaking show at Gallagher Student Center located at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, October– December 2024
“Records of Our Remains”, Self-curated group, student show at the International Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati, OH, April 8th – 15th 2024
2023
“Hope and Justice”, Self-curated group, student printmaking and fibers show at Gallagher Student Center located at Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, November – December 2023
“Elsewhere Within”, group, student show at the International Cincinnati Contemporary Art Center in Cincinnati, OH, March 21st – 26th 2023
2022
“Statehouse Student Art Exhibit”, Invitational, Student group exhibition in the Ohio Statehouse located in Columbus, OH, April 2022
2021
“Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition", Statewide, Juried High School Art exhibition located in Columbus, OH at the James A. Rhodes State Office Tower, April - May 2021
Jobs
Art Gallery Assistant, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH, December 2022 - Present
Summer Intern, Co-op Cincy, Cincinnati, OH, June – October 2025
Summer Service Intern, Xavier University and Co-op Cincy, Cincinnati, OH, May – July 2024
Office Admin Intern, Wyoming Fine Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH, May - August 2023
Leadership Experience
Xavier Art Society President, Xavier Art Society, Cincinnati, OH, August 2023 - June 2025
Vice-President, LGBTQ+ Alliance, Cincinnati, OH, August 2024 - June 2025
Administrative Coordinator, LGBTQ+ Alliance, Cincinnati, OH, August 2023 - June 2024
Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America, Cincinnati, OH, June 2014- May 2022