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Kent State student removes controversial art exhibit

Adriana Gasiewski, Campus Editor
April 17, 2025
Alton Northup
A senior art thesis was coming down after controversy over its violent depictions Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Kent State’s Center for the Visual Arts. A university spokesperson said the student, Rorke McCullough, agreed to remove the display.

A controversial art exhibit came down Thursday hours after Kent State University constructed scaffolding to obstruct windows displaying the piece in the Center for the Visual Arts.

The exhibit featured depictions of the heads of government officials, including President Donald Trump, on stakes overlayed onto windows of the building. The phrase “We Only Have to Get Lucky Once,” which is also the title of the project, accompanied the piece.

The work is a part of the senior thesis for Rorke McCullough, a Bachelor of Fine Arts student. A painting of the Last Supper with Trump and others close to him was also part of the display.

Screen Shot 2025-04-17 at 6.13.40 PM
Adriana Gasiewski
Students remove an art display after controversy over its violent depictions Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Kent State's Center for the Visual Arts. Scaffolding obstructing view of the exhibit can be seen through the window.

“The Kent State student whose art class exhibition included depictions of violence toward elected officials has agreed to remove the display,” said Eric Mansfield, assistant vice president of content strategy and communications for the university, in a statement. “The university supports the student’s decision and the work of the faculty to bring about a resolution to this matter.”

The exhibit gained attention on the Libs of TikTok X account where a post about the art was shared over 1,200 times at the time of publication.

Jillian Sokso, director of the School of Art, and McCullough said they could not comment. 

Adriana Gasiewski is a campus editor. Contact her at [email protected].

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About the Contributors
Adriana Gasiewski
Adriana Gasiewski, Digital Content Manager
Adriana is a senior journalism major with a minor in Italian, and she is the digital content manager for The Kent Stater. Previously, she was a reporter, digital producer and campus editor. She enjoys reporting on issues impacting the community and localizing national ones. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, especially horror ones, which may have inspired a certain article. Contact her at [email protected].
Alton Northup
Alton Northup, News Director
Alton is the news director for The Kent Stater and KSTV. A senior journalism major, this is his eighth semester with The Kent Stater. He previously served as a reporter, campus editor and editor-in-chief. He enjoys learning about the Kent State community through his reporting. When he’s not reporting or editing, he’s either at a hockey game or cycling. Contact him at [email protected].