Juried Student Exhibition coming to Eugenia Summer Gallery

Mark Huerkamp

Reporter

The MUW Art and Design Department is in the middle of an exciting semester. Wrapping up the exhibition of awarded artist and educator John Marshall, it is currently assembling an exhibit of 130 artworks for this semester’s Juried Student Exhibition. The Exhibition in the Eugenia Summer Gallery will open for viewing on Feb. 13 and run until March 7 with a reception on Friday, Feb. 14 from 5:30-7:30 pm.

Marshall is an art instructor at Meridian Community College with a lengthy list of accomplishments. To name only a few, he is a recipient of the Arts Educator of the Year Award, Teacher of the Year Award, Mississippi Lamplighters Award and Outstanding In Teaching Award. He has also been published in Art in Mississippi, Literary Review and The International Poets Society.

“We have a lot of respect for him as a teacher and as a painter,” said Alex Stelios-Wills, gallery director.

Stelios-Wills said Marshall has entered artwork into faculty exhibits hosted by MUW, served as a juror for student shows and fulfilled a crucial role in judging artwork submitted by MUW to maintain accreditation as a fine art and design institution.

Shawn Whittington, an art instructor from Itawamba Community College, was invited by the Art and Design Department to serve as this year’s juror for the student exhibition. Whittington holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in fine art from the University of Mississippi. Whittington selected 130 pieces of first, second, third and honorable mention standing from a pool of more than 250 submissions from MUW art students.

The juror had the discretion of applying ties and multiple honorable mentions where he felt necessary. The Art and Design Department’s faculty will also award an award for overall achievement that will be determined before the exhibit opening.

Seniors are not required to enter the exhibition, but must participate in their own show in April. All other students are required to submit at least three pieces for judging. Participation in the show is mandatory to acquaint students with the art gallery, the judging of artwork and the formal presentation of artwork.