By: Lilly Burrus
Staff
Meramec’s annual student art show featured work from students of all ages. There were 404 submissions, 147 pieces accepted and 37 award winners. Gallery coordinator Ken Wood worked to hang the art pieces, incorporating new changes to the layout and overall design of the display.
“Last year we had a really nice judge who admitted way too many things, and it was a little packed,” Wood said.
Although Meramec usually has two judges, one for fine arts and one for applied arts, this year three judges were invited to view the contending works. Gina Grafos, judge of fine arts, chose Avery Norton as a 2nd place winner for her black and white photo of a window scape in downtown Clayton.
“This is my first time in the student art show. I submitted three different photos, and this one made it in,” Norton said.
Students who don’t take classes in the Humanities Building are often unaware of the art being created there.
“The show is important because it spreads awareness for people who don’t know much about the art department or want to know more,” Norton said.
John Gualdoni, judge of applied arts, reviewed many submissions this year, but the one that really blew his mind was Tersue Yakubu’s “Poparoo.” Featured on a pedestal in the gallery, these triangular candy packages are colorful and distinct.
Lauren Sweet-Schuler took on the role of interior design judge, a new position as of this year. Sweet-Schuler was in the first graduating class of interior design under the leadership of Erin Leclerc, who is still in charge of interior design at Meramec. Sweet-Schuler has a career as an interior designer in St. Louis and has inspired many young creators.
“To be a successful artist, you have to think independently, and that can be about problem solving for visual problems or inventing things that don’t exist yet,” Wood said.
According to Wood, sharing artwork creates community.
“Being able to create work that you enjoy and that you can share with others can be a great way to be a human among other humans,” Wood said.
Wood said that art school is a great way to learn useful skills.
“I think that learning art is very different from any other kind of learning. Students are evaluated on their learning differently, so the art department is a great place for people who might be neurodivergent or have struggled in a typical classroom setting,” Wood said.
The art show will be open to the public until May 7 in the Humanities Art Gallery.
