First Juried Student Art Show to offer cash prizes

The Grand Valley Department of Art and Design is hosting their first Juried Student Art Show, with cash prizes and judging by professional artists from a variety of teaching institutions.

The exhibition opens Monday, March 18, in the Padnos Student Gallery, located in the lower level of the Calder Arts Center. A reception and award ceremony will take place Tuesday, March 19, from 5-7 p.m. in the mezzanine area of the gallery. The exhibition will be ongoing through March 28.

“We wanted to showcase the quality work that is being created in both the Department of Art and Design, and the School of Communications,” said Bill Hosterman, associate professor of art. “The show also provides a teaching environment for the students that entered works, and for everyone that views the show.”

Students were able to enter artwork from the past two years of classes in the Department of Art and Design and the School of Communications. Entries were judged by three artists from different teaching institutions: Johanna Pass, associate professor at Central Michigan University, Kate Silvio, a teacher at the Kendall College of Art and Design, in Grand Rapids, and Mike Rebholz, a photographer and teacher from Madison, Wisconsin.

Showcase categories include ceramics, graphic designs, paintings, sculptures, drawings, illustrations, photographs, mixed media and electronic works, film and video, metals and printmaking. Two winners will receive $300 and have their work on permanent display at Grand Valley. Additionally, there will be one honorable mention for each category.

Natalie Phillips, a junior studying film and video production, submitted two of her class videos to the show. “‘Cleanse’ is a lyrical experimental piece and ‘Lift’ is my first performance piece,” said Phillips. “I decided to submit because I think it’s a good opportunity to allow students from outside my film classes to see my work.”

The events and exhibition are open to the public with free admission. For more information, contact Bill Hosterman in the Department of Art and Design at [email protected].