The annual Student Art Exhibition at Rogers State University contains traditional work as well as art further toward the edge.
Charcoal drawings of human figures and photographs of the northeastern Oklahoma landscape are displayed alongside a sculpture of children’s marbles ringed with lights and an ironic drawing of a shark preparing to enjoy a bite of sushi.
“Diversity is always a component of the student art show and this year is no exception,” said Gary Moeller, RSU art professor.
The juried exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will be on display through April 11 in the new gallery in Baird Hall on the RSU campus in Claremore. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The exhibition features the best art by RSU students over the past academic year in all media, including paintings, drawings, ceramics, photography, print making and more, Moeller said.
“I’d like to encourage the public to visit this exhibition – the first student show to be held in our new art gallery,” Moeller said. “Nothing calms the soul while offering insight and inspiration like visiting an art gallery or museum.”
Jurors for the exhibition were recent RSU art graduates Kristopher Atkinson, who now works as a graphic designer at the Crosby Group in Tulsa, and Joshua Meyer, who will earn a master of fine arts degree this spring from the University of Tulsa. Meyer will begin work this summer teaching photography at St. Andrew’s School, an elite boarding school in Middletown, Delaware.
The Best of Show Award went to Blake Walinder of Claremore for her ink wash drawing titled “Bust.”
First place was awarded to Crystal Walters of Pryor for “Security,” a photograph printed on stretched canvas. Second place went to Rachel Paul for “Santa Clause,” a screen print.
Third place was awarded to Jordan Wong of Claremore for her mixed-media piece “Color Affliction” and Honorable Mention went to Rachel Adkins of Claremore for “Kindred Spirit,” a piece of Raku pottery made with horse hair.
Student artists employed quite a bit of mixed media for their creations this year and photographs were developed using traditional methods, as well as double exposures and silver gelatin prints, Moeller said.
For more information, call 918-343-7744 or visit www.rsu.edu.