About twenty of the University’s best student artists will be showcased tomorrow at the Fall Juried Art Show.
The art show, which will primarily feature the work of undergraduate students, grew out of a partnership between Creative Campus and New College.
“Knowledge about art shows is kind of limited to the art department and Creative Campus’ creed is that art is everywhere, and we wanted to make sure that everyone on campus knows about it,” said Lauren Breland, an intern at Creative Campus. “We wanted to target freshmen living in the dorms… That way freshmen can come out and see this and know that there are opportunities.”
Because the art show will take place during homecoming week, its focus will be visual art created by students, for students.
One of the student artists, Olivia West, a sophomore majoring in studio art and English, agreed that most students are oblivious to opportunities to showcase their work.
“I think this juried art show is really reaching out to students beyond the art department and helping them get involved,” she said. “This show is one of the first around campus that I’ve seen to have a strong Facebook presence, which I know helps get the word out.”
Pieces were submitted Sept. 27 and 28 and evaluated by a panel of judges made up of faculty and staff members from across the campus. The judging panel selected the top 20 works, which will be hung in New Gallery at Lloyd Hall Room 216. They also chose the first, second and third place winners, which will be awarded $100, $75 and $50, respectively.
The top three pieces will also be considered for the Alabama Art Display, a Creative Campus program that aims to display artwork in buildings and offices around campus.
“Whenever students have an opportunity to have their work judged, it gives it kind of a prestigious feel,” Breland said.
West also agreed that juried art shows carry more prestige than ones that aren’t judged.
“Even just that fact takes it beyond the average art show and makes it something that everyone wants to enter and win,” she said. “I know that’s what first caught my eye about this show.”
In addition to possible awards, for student artists like West, art shows are an extremely important way to gain recognition.
“I’m just trying to get my name out there, trying to get as many people as possible to see my art,” West said. “It helps with networking and job possibilities in the future.”
Anyone can attend the show’s opening reception Tuesday night at 7, which will offer food, drinks and music for those who stop in to see the artwork.
After the reception, all artwork will be available for viewing through Nov. 5 in New Gallery.
