Annual arts show gets creative

Beginning on April 19th the Department of Fine Arts opened its annual student art show at 6 p.m. in Hayden Hall.
“This will be a fantastic opportunity for students to show their work and progress in the art field”, said Robert Cox, assistant professor of art.
Only students with art majors and minors were able to participate, and 15 students made the final cut. New Orleans artist Clifton Webb will judge the exhibits, which were all prescreened by various faculty members of the art department.
“It turned out great even though we couldn’t use the original gallery because it wasn’t ready, but overall I’m really excited,” said Tracie Bradford, a senior art major from DeRidder who has artwork displayed being displayed at the exhibit.
Due to renovations to the Hayden Hall art gallery, the computer room is being used as a makeshift gallery. The portable walls used during the event were donated over by the school of architecture.
The art that will be showcased will be based on studio courses that consist of drawing, printmaking, sculpture, painting, ceramics, computer graphics and design.
“The annual student art show will showcase some awesome pieces,” Cox said.
Monetary prizes such as money will be given to winners of the show. Categories include: best of show, second prize, third prize and two honorable mentions.
“I think the art show is cool and it shows how we express ourselves through art,” said Taylor Hudson, a junior fine arts major from Baton Rouge.
From various portraits of famous celebrities such as Jamie Fox and Mary J Blige, to racially charged paintings of slavery and paintings based on the confederate flag can all be found on the display floor of the show. There are sculptures of different objects designed to have abstract meanings and also beautiful ceramic bowls of assorted colors.
“Our department just received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and this work shows it,” said Martian Payton, coordinator of the fine arts department.
The exhibit will remain open through May 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.