Meredith College Hosts 39th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition

On April 21, 2022, the Johnson Hall Rotunda filled with excited voices and laughter, breathing life into the usually quiet space as people milled about, examining the student art lining the walls. Students, friends, and family gathered for the opening reception, eagerly awaiting the 39th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition awards ceremony. 

“It’s wonderful to see your faces. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen a group of people appreciate and look at art together, so that’s just incredible, and thank you so much for being here,” said Gallery Director Molly Hull as the ceremony began.

The exhibition featured art of various mediums, including graphic design, fibers, photography, print, pottery, sculpture, painting, drawing, and more. Out of the approximately 120 pieces submitted, 36 were chosen to be shown. 

This year’s juror is Stacey L. Kirby. According to Kirby’s artistic bio, she is a queer, white-bodied, self-appointed civil servant from North Carolina who creates socially-engaged interactive performance art that evolves with the physical and historical setting, political climate, and participants’ involvement at each location. 

The evening kicked off with remarks from Gallery Director Molly Hull, followed by President Jo Allen, who presented the night’s awards. 

The awards, winners, and names of the art pieces are as follows:

Juror’s Choice: My Grounds, My Bias, by Safa Salahadeeh

Clover Family Award: Untitled, by Hannah Schneider

Louise Ruth Award: Constance by Arianne Gonzalez

Art Department Purchase Award: Pitbull Activism Infographic by Hannah Schneider

Alyce Turner Award: It’s All Too Much, by Kristin Morin

Cleta Johnson Award: Mental Metamorphosis, by Kayla Cooper

Deb Laube Award: Changing Hives, by Kasey Vandenboom

Eleanor Reuer Memorial Award: Ascent, by Lydia Gunn

Student Choice Award: Reflection, by Sara Rose Spann

Department awards were also given and included:

Outstanding Art Education Student: won by Kasey Vandenboom

Outstanding Studio Art Student: won by Lydia Gunn

Outstanding Graphic Design student: won by Hannah Schneider

Outstanding Student Assistant: won by Kristin Morin

Outstanding Art Student: won by Leah Jensen

Pearce Gallery Award: won by Bridget Gable

The juried exhibition gives students the ability to receive recognition for their work and experience having their art professionally juried. 

“This exhibition is special because it allows us to celebrate our students who made this artwork, but it also allows them to have a juried exhibition on their resume before they graduate college and that’s a truly unique thing when talking about an art career,” said Hull.

The exhibition is on display on the first and second floors of Johnson Hall, and each piece has resources for individuals who are vision-impaired and wish to admire the art. It will be on display until September 22, 2022. 

Learn more about Weems Gallery and upcoming exhibitions at gallery.meredith.edu.