Students Display Their Work at HSU Student Art Competition

April 24, 2019 Lucila Decia, Staff Writer

(ABILENE, Texas)–Every year, students involved in art courses at HSU were welcomed to display their pieces and compete in the Annual Student Art Competition. This year’s reception was hosted last Thursday, and a local artist was invited to judge the event.

Besides being part of the art contest, students had a great opportunity to display their art and share their skills with the HSU community. Local artists also benefited from the art show, since they are invited to judge the works and educate the students with their experience and differing perspectives. This year’s judge was Jonathan Carroll, the new director of the Center for Contemporary Arts in Abilene.

Students competed for first place in each category, but everyone whose work was accepted for the show got a reward. Ninety-five works were entered, and 58 were admitted into the competition. The goal was to provide students with a possibility to learn from the art show and receive audience feedback.

“The show is a convenient venue to display their work and hone their competitive skills. It is also an assessment tool to monitor the quality of work executed by HSU art students each year, so teaching staff can make adjustments as needed. The show has been happening annually every spring for at least 38 years, since I’ve been at HSU,” says Linda Fawcett, professor of art.

Students also enjoy being part of the show because they get a taste of what it is like to be involved in an art exhibit while  having fun and being creative with their works.

“I love participating in the art shows on campus! They give me a chance to showcase what I have been working on in my classes. Also every year the judging is so different, just like a real professional show,” says senior art major Francesca Scarbrough. “I was also super proud of all the freshmen who submitted amazing works and got in. It was pretty dope winning 2nd for painting especially because it was like the third painting I have ever done,” she says.

Mike Jones, professor and head of the art department, talked about the benefits he believes the show has for students.

“The point of an artwork is that it be seen. Without the artist’s vision being shared, the work is incomplete. Students participating in the annual Student Art Competition get a chance to ‘complete the circuit’ and have their work seen and interpreted, giving their effort meaning. Feedback on their efforts, whether positive or negative, can help them refine their vision and grow as artists,” he says.

 

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