By Joan Lowe and Matthew Sotlar / The Jambar
Students in the Department of Art at Youngstown State University organized the 89th annual art exhibition from March 20 through April 3 at the John J. McDonough Museum of Art.
According to Claudia Berlinski, director of the museum, the Student Art Association organizes the exhibition every year in the spring by creating all the paperwork, posters and calls for entry.
The exhibition cost is $5 per entry or $10 for a series of works that were organized together into categories including painting, printmaking, ceramics, drawing and illustration and sculpture.
Lance Yates, art professor for the University of Mississippi and a printmaker, was selected as a juror for the competition. Yates has over ten years of artistic experience and teaches courses in 2-D design, drawing and printmaking, among others.
Berlinski said the money raised from entries pays the juror to judge the submissions.
Students who participated in the exhibition submitted art in a range of physical mediums. Yates stated that he judges technique alongside any risks students take in their creation.
“I was looking for a combination of technical prowess and conceptual innovation. I think it’s important for artists, especially emerging artists like the ones in this exhibition, to cultivate curiosity throughout their careers, and show a willingness to experiment in their work without fear,” Yates stated.
Yates stated he was appointed as juror in part due to his connections at YSU.
“I was connected through YSU through two instructors at the school of art, Chauncey Hay and Amanda Spinosa, who are dear friends of mine and former peers from graduate school at Bowling Green State University,” Yates stated.
As a way to showcase students’ work, Yates stated that the exhibition allows others outside the department to see and connect with the pieces.
“In addition to adding crucial lines to young artists’ resumes, exhibitions like this one are a great opportunity for artists to see their work in a space dedicated to showcasing it. It also gives students on campus outside of the art department to engage with art up close and in person,” Yates stated.
During the exhibition’s opening day, Yates gave a lecture to attendees at 2 p.m. A reception was hosted for exhibition participants from 5-7 p.m. with an awards show at 5:45 p.m. for the best pieces submitted.
The student art and design exhibition in the McDonough will run until April 3. The showing is free and open to the public. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.