As midterms approach, the OU School of Art has one suggestion for how to spend those study breaks.

The school will be presenting Masters of the Arts Thesis Exhibition at the OU Art Gallery in Seigfred beginning Oct. 7.

Sean Kennedy, the first exhibitor in a series of seven, will display his Norman Rockwell inspired "Americana?," a 12 piece silk-screen series. Gallery Director Christine Heindl said the work is an interesting response to Rockwell's work.

"He's putting a different spin on that kind of America," she said.

Kennedy, a fine arts graduate student, thinks the work can be enjoyed on many levels, regardless of one's knowledge of art.

"The colors will appeal - it's happy," Kennedy said. He said his work is a response to other contemporary artists' work.

"A lot of contemporary art is so negative and issue based. My work is a response to what I call Ôpoor me' art. This is entertaining and fun," Kennedy said.

The school promises an exciting and eclectic quarter at the gallery, with presentations featuring ceramics, paintings and installments.

"It's nice to step out and see what's going on at OU outside of your classes," said Gayla Lindawan, public relations director for the gallery. "There's more out there than algebra and chemistry."

Kennedy's presentation will be followed by six other grad students. Jeff Brown will display his work Oct. 14 through Oct. 18; Beth Campbell and Vicki Terry will present Oct. 21 through Nov.; Brandon Gibbons's work will be shown Nov. 4 through Oct. 8; Shawn Busse will display his art Nov. 11 through Nov. 15; and Heidi Grew will be the final featured artist from Nov. 18 through Nov. 22.

The exhibition will begin Oct. 7 and run though the end of the quarter. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.