The Juried Student Exhibition returns for its second year, celebrating the quality and diversity of work by students in the Department of Art + Design. The exhibition is on view at Brick City Gallery February 23 – March 10 and will be open for First Friday Art Walk March 3 from 6-9 p.m.

The artwork featured in the exhibition represents all areas of the department, from ceramics to new media, and art students in all stages of their college careers answered the call for artwork, from undergraduate freshman to graduate students. Kansas City-based artist Caleb Taylor juried this year’s exhibition, narrowing down 228 entries to the 59 works on view and making final selections for this year’s award winners. Caleb provided the following juror’s statement reflecting on this year’s submissions and his decision process:

Evaluating a pool of applicants can feel like a moving target because I find the best way to understand creative intent is to meet makers, to become acquainted with their thoughts, and to witness the environment and influence giving cause to their creative pursuits. I reviewed and re-reviewed the applications to understand the multitude of intentions and sensibilities put forward, and I found strong voices engaging me through this process. [. . .]

Jurying the 2023 Juried Student Exhibition has revealed how undergraduate and graduate students are assertively engaging materials and challenging ideas at Missouri State University. The exhibition identifies individuals whose works move beyond an academic assignment, and are striving to create a point-of-view that is maturely their own. [. . .] From the final selections, common themes emerge; a desire to capture the beauty within our “everyday” routines and the tranquility of abstract structures. These currents feel relevant for their connection to movements in history, and because we are each able to see ourselves in many of these ideas.

Henri Matisse was correct when stating “Creativity takes courage.” I commend all of the applicants who placed their work and themselves forward. The selected successfully demonstrated the ability to cohesively balance content, process and materials in ways that created a dialogue, whose submissions asked more questions than gave answers. To the artists whose works are not on view, a juror is one perspective. Allow the outcome of this exhibition to ignite courage within that propels you in new directions.

The following students are featured in the exhibition:

Alyssa Cartier, Amber Baker, Amber Dudenhoeffer, Anna Spalding, Anton Pleshka, Ashley Brake, Ashley Rolewicz, Aubrey Whitehead, collins antwi, Cora Hill, Elisa Peters, Ellen Aulbach, Emery Wilcoxon,  Emily Reed, Emma Renfroe, Erin Hillery, Erin Sedra, Erin Tyler, Hanna Henroid, Hannah Noles, J Librach, Jake Jessop, Jasmine Hutton, Jean Paul Vivas, Jessica Winslow, Joy Okokon, Julia Kidwell, Julia McKlin, Karissa Locke, Kassidy Watts, Kate Austin, Leah Funk, Madison Brown, Madison Sparks, Mara Cressey, Meidi Karampour, Melissa Hendrickson, Melissa Marrs, Mindy Welland, Noah Huettenmeyer, Paige Cawein, Paige Lenahan, Rick Briggenhorst, Ryan D. Nevill, Sarah Wheat, S. Powell, Sage Winkler, Shauna LeAnn Smith, Shayna Marose, Shelby Theis-Lukenbill, Stephanie Dejeu, Vaeya Nichols, and Zarek Fry. 

Fourteen entries were recognized with juried awards. The top prize, the Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award, honors the life and legacy of former artist and Missouri State Art & Design student Mark J. Hall. “It’s important to recognize this hero of the arts at Missouri State University,” says Vonda Yarberry, Art + Design Department Head. Mark’s passion, dedication, and activism helped establish a fund to obtain and support an exhibition space for students in 1984. His efforts have provided opportunities for thousands of students to share their work, an impact that continues today through the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and Brick City Galleries. Mark lost his life in a tragic car accident on July 17, 2005. Despite this terrible loss, Mark’s memory endures within the gallery spaces and the tradition of sharing his story each year as the Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award is presented at the Annual Juried Student Exhibition. “Mark’s efforts to support students positively impacts the entire Springfield arts community. My only wish is that he could be here to give the award himself,” Vonda adds.

Juried Award Winners

Mark J. Hall Best in Show: Anton Pleshka – Prisma

Best Grad: Erin Tyler –  7 compositions according to the laws of chance

Best Undergrad: Ashley Rolewicz – Self-Portrait in April

Best Freshman: Sage Winkler – Untitled (Still Life)

Best 3D: Shayna Marose – Ghost Prints 

Best Painting: Ellen Aulbach – The Bathtub

Best Drawing: Julia Kidwell – It’s Fondue Time

Best Photography: Erin Hillery – Within the Light

Best Metals & Jewelry: Jake Jessop – Sakura Con Brooch

Best Animation: Zarek Fry – Goodnight, Dr. Foam!

Best New Media: Rick Briggenhorst & Shauna Le Ann Smith – resonance within

Best from Illustration: Emily Reed – Ghosts of the Moment

Best from Graphic Design: Stephanie Dejeu – Mugshots Coffee Rebranding

Best from Art Education: Emma Renfroe – Preserved Faux Butterfly

Brick City Gallery is located at 215 W. Mill Street, Springfield, MO 65806. The gallery can be visited Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Call 417-837-2330 for additional details.

Taylor Ladd is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art + Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University with professional interests in writing about art, culture, and food.