September 10 – November 22, 2026

Opening Reception September 10, 5-7pm

Participating artists: Linus Borgo, Matthew Brannon, John Bradford, Marcus Brutus, Amanda Church, Victoria Dugger, Christine Forrer, Emily Harter, Seona Hong, Hydeon, Jordan Kasey, Mary Jones, Haley Josephs, Maureen O’Leary, Pow Matinez, Ali Miller, Rachael Phillips, Elizabeth Schwaiger, Alison Elizabeth Taylor, Eric White, Bradley Wood, and Areum Yang.

An inalienable universal right, the pursuit of happiness, strives and thrives under the umbrella
of liberty, and if our intentions are well-placed, aspirational outcomes can begin to grow and
flourish. The quest for contentment, pleasure, or joy is as much about desire, hope, and
anticipation as it is about the effort required to meet its fulfillment. In short, labor is required.
To reach the pinnacle of happiness, all the essentials (food, safety, shelter) must be established
first through the challenging act of being a responsible human being. To a degree, compassion
and civility are other prerequisites. It is in the scrutiny of such details that we discover and
capture the subject matter surrounding the pursuit of happiness. This exhibition explores the
way artists mirror and picture the requirements and travails of contemporary life in the quest
for the best possible outcomes.

This project is held in conjunction with Oakland University’s multidisciplinary celebration of the
250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A collaboration between multiple
departments and programs on campus as well as off-campus partners, it encompasses Oakland
University’s Strategic Vision 2030. Focusing on five pathways — Our People, Student Success,
Discovery, Stewards of Place, and Sustainable University — the goal is to further elevate
Oakland’s educational excellence and foster deeper community engagement in the ongoing
cultural and economic development of the region and state.

Above image

Haley Josephs
Stargazer (detail), 2018
Oil on canvas
30 x 24 inches
Courtesy of the artist and Jack Barrett Gallery