From bronze, yarn, and ceramics to ink, paint, and charcoals, the artists of the Juried Student Art Exhibition at Concordia College have used a wide variety of media to bring their work to life.
The annual exhibition, which showcases the work of Concordia students both within and outside the art department, runs through April 2 at the Cyrus M. Running Gallery. It is juried, meaning the artists had to submit their work for consideration before being selected for the show by a juror.
Lydia Holmgren ’27, originally of Sartell, Minnesota, was surprised that her charcoal self-portrait “Choose to See” earned the Best in Show award for studio art, which comes with a $150 prize.
“Art is very subjective, and any given juror and person will be drawn to different artwork,” Holmgren said. “There were so many amazing pieces submitted for the show that you can never be sure what will be selected by the juror.”
The student artist, who works primarily in realism, was inspired by her interest in how experiences and socialization shape people’s perceptions and opinions. Using charcoal on paper allows for a high level of contrast, which helps achieve realism and the recreation of details that wouldn’t necessarily be possible in other media, she added.
“Realism artwork allows me to bridge the logical, analytical processes of human nature with the beauty and artistic qualities inherent in every person,” Holmgren said.
The juror for this year’s show was Ben Rheault, a visual artist who, while primarily an oil painter, has also collaborated with other artists on sculptural installations and animated backdrops. Rheault earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2002, and his work has been shown in solo shows at the Rourke Art Gallery + Museum in Moorhead and the Kaddatz in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He has also taught Contemporary Drawing at MSUM.
Rheault selected five other pieces for awards: “Window,” by Anna Pancoast ’27, Becker, Minnesota, mixed media; “Untitled Print #8,” by Madeline Bussmann ’28, Northfield, Minnesota, a digital print, “Blueberry Waves,” by Avery Stallman ’28, Moorhead, acrylic and spackle on canvas, and “Fleshing Things Out,” by Fenley Grumann ’27, Colorado Springs, Colorado, clay, all received Merit Awards and $75.
“Bloody Mess,” by Tommie Treptau ’26, St. Michael, Minnesota, a pigmented inkjet print, received the Charles and Vicki Hartz award and $125.
The Cyrus M. Running Gallery begins in the skyway that connects the Olin Art and Communications Center with the second floor of the Frances Frazier Comstock Theatre building. It is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Sundays.
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