28 The crowd mingled outside of the Weaver Gallery on Feb. 20, waiting for the chance to see students’ art on display. Organized by Visual Art professor Suzanne Mauro, and in its third year of operation, the Juried Student Art Exhibit was heavily attended by students and faculty alike on opening night. The success of the opening can be partially attributed to the Pilot Pageant, which was held in the Everest-Rohrer auditorium. According to Mauro, the opening night of the exhibit is usually poorly attended. “It was awesome to have so many people come through the gallery,” said Mauro. Judged by Angela Boembeke and Ann Hamilton—both members of the Michiana art community in different aspects—the Art Exhibit displayed more than fifty works by students, including paintings, drawings, ceramics and other 3D works. Six entries were awarded monetary prizes. Senior Stephanie Hollenbaugh’s ceramics piece won Best in Show. “It was gratifying to know that the amount of effort I put into it was acknowledged,” Hollenbaugh said. “That was one major puzzle to put together.” Senior Samantha Nagy placed first in the 2D catagory with her painting. When asked if she was nervous about the show, Nagy answered, “Sort of. There’s always that nervousness that people won’t like it.” Mauro expressed the importance of an art show. “Showing artwork is a valuable experience because it builds moral, self-confidence, discipline, teaches students to take pride in the work they are making, and also makes them feel like a valuable contribution to the campus.” Besides displaying their artwork, some students are able to experience the trials of trying to “hang the show”—in other words, decide how the artwork is arranged and hung around the gallery. The senior art students have the distinction of doing that, and according to Hollenbaugh, “(it) was interesting, to say the least.” She continued, “It’s a good experience.” Now in its third year, submissions to the Art Exhibit have grown in size. The first year there were only twenty-five entries. But the next year, Mauro said, “submissions tripled.” This year, the exhibit had to turn down approximately twenty-five pieces due to gallery limitations and so the exhibit can “showcase the most outstanding of work on the campus.” The Student Art Exhibit will be open through March 22.
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