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April 17, 2008

Top award winners announced from 11th Annual ULM Art Students' Juried Competition

The 11th Annual ULM Art Students' Juried Competition winners have been announced; the exhibition will continue at Bry Gallery until Friday, May 2.

Bill Iles, a Lake Charles artist and former department head at McNeese State University, served as the juror. He congratulated all of the artists who participated. “The quality and range of the work presented was high indeed. It is obvious the ‘art spirit’ is alive and thriving at ULM. The quality of the drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, ad design graphics, ceramics and sculptures showed a dynamic engagement with media and materials. I think the rich diversity of the show is reflective of the ULM art faculty allowing each student to develop their talent in their own singular and individual direction.”

Sixty-four works were accepted from 80 entries.

Top award winners were:

• Best in show – Betty Crouch of Bastrop (ceramic platter)
  
  
• Alumni Award of Excellence – Kate Yancey, an art sophomore from Monroe (digital photograph)
  
  
• Division of Art Award – Ryan Moris, an art senior from Monroe (digital print)
  
  
• Design Award – Robbie Jones, an art sophomore from Monroe (graphite drawing)
  
  
• Merit Awards – Kelli Sims (an art senior from West Monroe)
  Steven Spitzer (an art junior from Monroe)
  Ian Blaylock (an art sophomore from Monroe)
  Stefan Nodarse (an art senior from Translyvania)
  Travis Reuther (an art senior from Haughton)
  Megan Rushing (an art senior from Archibald)
  Joni Dollar (an art senior from Monroe)

The ULM Art Department wishes to thank their sponsors: the ULM Campus Activities Board, R&F Paints, Chroma Inc., DataBank IMX, ARAMARK Food Services, and Ken O’Neal.

Each year, ULM administrators participate in a connected event that allows them to select works to hang in their offices for a period of one year. On this occasion, President James Cofer, Provost Stephen Richters, Dean Jeffrey Cass, School of Visual and Performing Arts Director Keith White, and Assistant Dean of Student Life and Leadership Amy Weems were involved.

President Cofer chose a plaster head bust by Blaylock, an oil on canvas painting by Sims, and a stone and steel sculpture by Karen Robinson (an art senior from Alexandria).

Provost Richters singled out a plaster head bust by Kristen Taylor (an art senior from West Monroe) and a stone and steel sculpture by Reuther.

Dean Cass selected a cast bronze sculpture by Taylor and an oil on canvas painting by Rushing.

Dr. White chose a cast bronze sculpture by Robinson and an acrylic on canvas painting by Dollar.

Assistant Dean Weems selected a digital photo by Dan Buckner (an art junior from Monroe) and a digital photo by Richard Gentry (an art senior from West Monroe).

Bry Gallery is open Mondays – Thursdays from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. – noon when the university is in session.

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