Last year for her computer-aided graphic design class, Kim Simons, a senior visual communication design major, created a company called Chai.

Simons said that it was a semester-long project in which she had to design a company from the ground up from the logo to packaging. She knew this project was a big undertaking and forced herself to keep up with the due dates throughout the semester.

However, Simons was still up for three days before the project was due.

"I slept for one hour under the table in the Rike building," she said.

Simons included the packaging from this project in the department of visual arts' senior exhibition, along with the Peter Pan print she created during her summer internship at Eric Mower and Associates.

The exhibition, currently on display in the Rike Center for Fine Arts Gallery, is a show dedicated to graduating seniors in the arts.

It is an annual event that seniors organize themselves. They are in charge of everything from selecting and hanging their work throughout Rike Gallery to ordering food for the reception.

Elizabeth Kohrman, a senior visual communication design major, is also showing a piece in the exhibition from her Painting II class.

The painting is a self-portrait comprised of four panels, one large canvas that shows her body and three smaller canvases that display different views of her face.

"I like to express myself in ways other than design," she said. "I love painting."

Kohrman, who started her freshman year as a declared VCD major, said she went into it blind, not really understanding the major. Now as a senior, she enjoys using different elements in design.

"Now that it's gotten more advanced, there's more creative freedom," she said. "I look forward to mixing design with fine arts."

Heather Sandy, a senior fine arts major, is exhibiting a stone carving called "Vertebrae" and a mixed media painting entitled "Tick" which she said she chose because "they represent where [her] path as an artist is beginning to form."

Simons, Kohrman, Sandy and their fellow art majors at UD said they are committed to their work because they have to be in order to survive the program.

With standard two hour and 40 minute studio classes twice a week and an additional 30 hours spent working on projects outside of class, the art students have their schedules filled.

"One of the most time-consuming courses is a fundamentals class in 3D where you essentially create models out of cardboard," Sandy said. "I know I easily spent 100 hours on the last project alone. Ask any art major, and they will definitely tell you that sleep is not an option in order to be a successful artist."

In addition to the toll these majors take on time, the literal cost is just as great.

Updating to new programs for Adobe software such as CS4 costs hundreds of dollars. Students said the cost of supplies needed for the studio classes is high as well.

"You can't buy art supplies cheap because then you suffer quality," Simons said.

While the art programs at UD are demanding, the students said they are dedicated to their major.

"There's definitely times when I want to scream and quit," Simons said. "It's a challenge, but I love it. I wouldn't keep doing it if I didn't."

Sandy agrees.

"I have always been interested in the creative process, and art brings me to a place to express my opinions as well as escape into a world that I can create," she said. "Art is vital to my being, and I can no longer separate my being from the creative process; it has embedded itself too deep under my skin."

Kohrman said she is excited to see where her art major takes her after graduation.

"I just want to keep learning about new programs and expanding my knowledge," she said.

The seniors' work, a culmination of four years of classes and projects, will be on display through Dec. 9.

Todd Hall, Rike Center Gallery coordinator, said this year's senior exhibition features 31 pieces of art by the graduating seniors in the program.

"The work is a great mix of the different areas within the visual arts department," he said. "If you have yet to attend one, please stop by, enjoy the art and support the students."

A reception for the exhibition will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 17.

The gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

"After spending hours working on these pieces, I hope people will be visually engaged with the artwork and leave wanting to explore further," Sandy said.