By Bri Spencer / The Jambar
The Student Art Association of Youngstown State University held its 88th annual Juried Student Art and Design Exhibition awards March 21 at the McDonough Museum of Art.
The display features works by students who have taken classes in the Department of Art during the 2024-25 academic year.
The event distinguished various artists with 21 awards, and was judged by sculptor Sidney Mullis. Award categories included ceramics, photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media and graphic and interactive design.
Mullis is a sculptor whose work has been exhibited in many locations, including Berlin, Tokyo, England, Croatia and the Netherlands.
As for the logistics, local businesses and individuals contributed cash awards and gift certificates to winners. Each student could receive up to two awards.
The display started with 133 submissions this year, but less than half were finalists for the exhibition.
Leah Franke, sophomore and vice president of the SAA, won two awards, including the Little Urban Achiever Award for “American Life” and the Penguin City Award for “Doll Parts.” She said she felt honored to be part of the display.
“I have five pieces in this year, so that feels like a really big accomplishment, so I’m really proud of that. Just to be here is an honor, and then [to] win an award is also something that’s a huge privilege too,” Franke said.
Franke, a member of the SAA since her freshman year, said the organization has helped her make connections with others.
“Being a part of SAA has very much helped me professionally and friend-wise too,” Franke said. “It has helped me become a better person and being able to meet new people really helps with that because it broadens your horizons.”
Franke, along with senior and President of SAA Emma Strope-Downs, presented the awards to the winners.
Strope-Downs, recognized the impact of the SAA officers and her teamwork with Franke.
“We’re a team. I would be floundering without her and I’m certain they’ll be perfectly fine without me,” Strope-Downs said.
Strope-Downs won the Grizzly Coffee Award for her piece “Underway.”
Other awards such as the President’s Award went to Grace Mazur for her art “Bug.” The Vice President’s Award was given to Leah Sydney for “The Identifier.”
In the photography category, Alexis Long won an award for “Votive Offering.” The Excellence Award was given to Mychal Vens for “Papaphobia” and the Community Excellence Award was bestowed to Caitlin Martin for the piece “Acropora’s Ghost.”
Awards were decided online, with Mullis having contracted COVID-19. Submissions for the exhibit were sent as photos through Google Drive for Mullis to examine.
The exhibit will be displayed until April 4. The McDonough is open from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday for viewing the exhibit and other works.
