On April 21, 2022, Johnson Hall’s rotunda filled with excited voices and laughter, breathing life into the usually quiet space as people walked around, examining the student art that lined the walls. Students, friends and family gathered for the opening reception, eagerly awaiting the awards ceremony for the 39th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition.
“It’s wonderful to see your faces. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a group of people enjoy and look at art together, it’s just amazing, and thank you so much for being here,” said gallery director Molly Hull, at the start of the ceremony.
The exhibit featured art from various mediums including graphic design, fibers, photography, printing, pottery, sculpture, painting, drawing, and more. Of the approximately 120 pieces submitted, 36 were chosen for display.
This year’s juror is Stacey L. Kirby. According to Kirby’s artistic biography, she is a queer, white-bodied, self-proclaimed civil servant from North Carolina who creates interactive, socially engaged performance art that evolves with the physical and historical setting, political climate, and participant involvement in each place. .
The evening opened with remarks from Gallery Director Molly Hull, followed by President Jo Allen, who presented the evening’s awards.
The prizes, winners and names of the works of art are as follows:
Jury’s choice: My motives, my prejudices, by Safa Salahadeeh
Clover Family Awards: Untitled, by Hannah Schneider
Louise Ruth Prize: constancy by Arianne González
Art Department Purchase Price: Pitbull Activism Infographic by Hannah Schneider
Alyce Turner Award: It’s too much, by Kristin Morin
Cleta Johnson Award: mental metamorphosis, by Kayla Cooper
Deb Laube Award: Change of hives, by Kasey Vandenboom
Eleanor Reuer Memorial Award: ascent, by Lydia Gunn
Student Choice Award: Reflection, by Sara Rose Spann
Departmental awards were also given and included:
Outstanding Student in Arts Education: won by Kasey Vandenboom
Best Studio Art Student: Won by Lydia Gunn
Best Graphic Design Student: won by Hannah Schneider
Best student assistant: won by Kristin Morin
Best Art Student: Won by Leah Jensen
Pearce Gallery Award: won by Bridget Gable
The juried exhibition gives students the opportunity to receive recognition for their work and experience by having their art assessed by professionals.
“This exhibition is special because it allows us to celebrate our students who made this work, but it also allows them to have a juried exhibition on their resume before they graduate from college and it’s a really unique thing when we’re talking about an artistic career,” said Coque.
The exhibit is on the first and second floors of Johnson Hall, and each room has resources for visually impaired people who want to admire the art. It will be on display until September 22, 2022.
Find out more about the Weems Gallery and upcoming exhibitions at gallery.meredith.edu.
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