The Department of Art and Design’s Juried Student Exhibition is on view March 25-April 12 at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and for First Friday Art Walk, April 5 from 6-9 p.m.

This year’s exhibition was juried by Kansas City-based artist Steve Snell.

About the juror

Inspired by the mythology and popular culture of American history and Western landscape, Steve Snell explores and critiques narratives in the form of paintings, videos and local adventures.

Snell earned his master of fine arts degree in studio art from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2011 as well as a bachelor of fine arts in painting and bachelor’s degree in art education from Miami University in 2006.

Snell’s work has been shown in galleries and film festivals across the country. He has been an Artist-in-Residence at the Tallgrass National Preserve in Kansas, the Teton ArtLab in Wyoming, and along the Chilkoot Trail in Alaska and British Columbia, sponsored by the National Parks Service and Parks Canada.

Snell is an associate professor of art at the Kansas City Art Institute.

About the exhibition

The Juried Student Exhibition recognizes the work of undergraduate and graduate students while introducing them to the professional exhibition experience.

Potential exhibitors must complete an application process and undergo formal jurying by an external expert.

The Legacy of Mark J. Hall

The top exhibition prize, Best in Show, honors the life and legacy of artist and former Missouri State Art and Design student Mark J. Hall.

“Once again, we honor a Springfield legend, Mark J. Hall, by giving the Best in Show award to a student in his name,” said Vonda Yarberry, Art and Design department head.

“Mark’s passion, dedication and activism helped establish a fund to obtain and support an exhibition space for students in 1984. Those efforts provided opportunities for thousands of students to share their work over the years,” Yarberry explained.

This impact continues today through the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center and Brick City Galleries, she added.

Hall died in an accident in 2005, but the department commemorates his memory and shares his story each year with the Mark J. Hall Best in Show Award.

“Mark Hall continues to have an impact on students at Missouri State University and simultaneously enlivens the Springfield arts community. My only wish is that he could be here to give the award himself,” Yarberry said.

The 2024 student exhibitors

Joy Okokon, Autumn Acosta, Collins Antwi, Ellen Aulbach, Kate Austin, Megan Barber, Charley Bennight, Ashley Brake, Sophie L. Bryan, Brooke Buehler, John Chiles, Aubree Chisam, Brianna Conyers, Andy Corbett, Chloe Cothern, Andre Cotton, Ann Danis, Destiny Drake, Jadyn Frey, Gabby Glamkowski, Camryn Gulledge, Chrissy Hanula, Cara Henderson, Roman Herries, Noah Huettenmeyer, Jake Jessop, Emily Lawrence, Paige Lenahan, Michelle Lewis, Ashley Mallonee, Shayna Marose, Cordy Matulewic, Julia McKlin, Emery Meadows, Olivia Michaelson, Vaeya Nichols, Elisa Peters, Anton Pleshka, Julia Plymell, Alexa Roberts, Alissa Roth, Taylor Sandridge, Erin Tyler, Abby Villars, Mindy Welland, Elliot Wheat, Aubrey Whitehead, Betty Sue Wiles and Sage Winkler.

2024 Award Winners

Mark J. Hall Best in Show

Ellen Aulbach, “The Kitchen Before I Go to Bed,” 2023, oil on wood panels.

Best Graduate entry

Joy Okokon, “Shuku,” 2023, stoneware clay, overglaze, clay beads, brass beads electric firing, 38.4 x 33.6 inches.

Best Undergraduate entry

Ellen Aulbach, “The Kitchen Before I Go to Bed,” 2023, oil on wood panels.

Best Freshman entry

Gabby Glamkowski, “Princess and the Me,” 2023, Mixed Media (watercolor, colored pencil, pen).

Best 3D

Ann Danis, “Fall Blow,” 2023, steel.

Best Painting

Ellen Aulbach, “The Kitchen Before I Go to Bed,” 2023, oil on wood panels.

Best Drawing

Vaeya Nichols, “Grandpa’s Hostas,” 2023, graphite.

Best Photography

Emery Wilcoxon, “Wander and Wonder,” 2023, chromogenic prints.

Best Metals/Jewelry

Julia McKlin, “Protection,” 2023, cast bronze.

Best Animation

Elliot Wheat, “Glip and Geoffrey Take a Pet to the Vet,” 2023, 2D animation.

Best New Media

Anton Pleshka, “Tholus,” 2022, multimedia installation.

Best Illustration

Taylor Sandridge, “Pop! Illustrations For Graphic Terms,” 2023, digital.

Best Graphic

Sage Winkler, “Sage,” 2023, digital illustration.

Best Art Education

Brianna Conyers, “Visual Verses,” 2023, acrylic.

The Corolla Arts Exhibition Center is located at 326 N Boonville Ave. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 417-837-2330 for more information.

Learn more about the 2024 Juried Student Exhibition

News written by Mariah Hunter and edited by the Reynolds College Communications team.

Hunter is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art and Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University.