The University Galleries opened the 2012 Student Annual exhibit on Tuesday, April 10. The exhibit featured student sculptures, paintings, ceramics, glass, graphic design, and hand-drawn artwork.

ISU students were asked to submit their work to the Student Annual and were then eligible to win awards within each genre of art.

Many different pieces of artwork consume the gallery. One piece that stood out was “Best in Show” award winner, “Monotype Installation” by Kelsey Just. Just created colorful monotype prints on circles of paper that was then displayed in a circular design on the white wall.

Many different aspects are looked at when deciding award winners. This years decision makers included two different jurors, Buzz Spector and Michael Brown. Spector was in charge of deciding the winners for studio artwork while Brown designated the graphic design awards.
University Galleries curator Kendra Paitz helped explain the process the jurors go through when deciding the award winners.

“Each juror has different criteria for judging. Spector brought all his experience into his decision making — he was really looking at concept of the piece as well as the technique and how it was executed,” Paitz said.

“We bring in an external juror. We feel it is important to bring in a fresh pair of eyes,” Paitz added.

This year, around 300 pieces were submitted to the show and 94 pieces are currently displayed.

“It’s nice to see all of these different pieces and types of pieces. You can see what [artwork] is happening right now at ISU,” Paitz explained. Another piece that was emphasized was the “New Times Roman” piece by John Moran. He put a new twist on the well-known image Ronald McDonald. Moran created a sculpture of Ronald McDonald with what appeared to be a deceased obese teenager lying across his lap. The piece was created in 2011, using sculpted glass, fabric, resin, and enamels.

Freshman undeclared major, Tamara Grindley, was browsing the gallery and felt this particular piece stood out to her.

“It definitely stands out because it is such an iconic image in such a different way,” Grindley said.

Fellow Student Annual browser, professor of graphic design, Archana Shekara, was visiting the University Galleries to see the work her previous students had created and submitted.

“I was looking at my students' work — he had only a semester of work when he created this piece and he won an award. The whole book is about the Dada movement and he made each page layout by hand, based on each artist,” Shekara said.  

“It’s exciting to see my students grow so well and apply what they have learned,” Shekara added.

The show this year included a lot of variety in pieces including a sculpture that was shaped similar to a spider. “A Daddy with Some Long Legs” by Lucero Aguirre was created out of wood, steel, and aluminum. The piece was prominently displayed on the floor of the gallery.

Paitz explained that this years show has a great balance of pieces and that not one genre of artwork is favored. She believes the show provides a great starting point for students.

"It’s really nice that the students have the opportunity to get their work looked at, have their work displayed, and have it up for awards,” Paitz said.

The 2012 Student Annual will be on display at the University Galleries until May 13.