Curator at Akron Art Museum is guest juror at 88th Annual Juried Student Exhibition

Myers School of Art in the Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences proudly announces the opening of its 88th Annual Juried Student Exhibition. Presented by the Emily Davis Gallery at Folk Hall, this showcase of creative work runs from February 8 to March 2, 2024. With submissions totaling an impressive 228 pieces, a curated selection of 118 artworks crafted by 71 students spanning all academic levels and disciplines serves as a testament to the diverse and dynamic creative spirit thriving at Myers.  Eligibility for submission was open to any student enrolled in at least one art class at Myers, allowing for a comprehensive representation of the artistic endeavors undertaken within the school. This annual juried exhibition allows instructors to take the pulse of what their students have been creating as they learn new skills in the classroom and perfect personal and challenging work in their studios.  

Student participants are awarded first, second, and third place prizes along with honorable mentions determined by the guest juror. The public is encouraged to attend this free exhibition and observe the skills and artworks these students have developed while here at Myers School of Art.

This year’s juror, Cleveland native Wendy Earle, has previously worked as a curator for MOCA Cleveland, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art in Winston-Salem, NC, and the Museum of the Southwest in Midland, TX. As of the fall of 2023, she is now Curator at the Akron Art Museum. Her interests include self-taught Southern artists, craft versus fine art, and the intersection of art, science and technology. She received her BA in Art History from the University of Michigan and her MA in Art History from the University of Texas in Austin. Earle's interest in contemporary art stems from the inspiration of working with living artists.

"I love the process of seeing artists respond in the moment and in the environment. Contemporary art is not just one thing. It's open to different definitions and is constantly challenging us," remarked Earle. 

When asked to reflects on her selections for this year’s Juried Student Exhibition, Earle said:

“Visitors walking into this year’s Student Art exhibition will see a variety of art styles and media, and the defining theme of this exhibition is best described as expressionistic. The paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, jewelry and even the design work presented are expressive, personal and fused with complex emotions. Exhibitions like these can showcase the current trends in craft and technique that students are learning, yet they also provide an interesting insight into the artists’ emotional and psychological development. It’s safe to say that the past few years have fostered an immense amount of personal and societal change, and artists are reflecting that. This edition includes numerous large-scale abstract paintings, surrealist and bio-morphic compositions, ambitious sculptures, and other projects that are well-crafted and imbued with personality.”

About the Emily Davis Gallery

The Emily Davis Gallery is located at Folk Hall on The University of Akron Campus. The gallery provides an essential artistic space within the Myers School of Art for exhibitions from a wide range of media and contextual pursuits. The Emily Davis Gallery presents challenging contemporary exhibitions, hosting artists from regional to international, and events that showcase the most current expressions and critical thinking evolving in the visual arts today. The objective of Emily Davis Gallery is to serve students, faculty, and the community by creating an environment for exploration and inspiration. The Emily Davis Gallery provides and maintains several venues for students to professionally display artwork throughout Folk Hall and actively encourages students’ creativity, expression, and professionalism.

RELATED INFORMATION:

• All exhibitions and events are free and open to the public.
• Dates for exhibition: February 8 – March 2, 2024
• Awards Reception and Celebration: February 15, 2024, 5 - 7 p.m.
• All events are located at Folk Hall on The University of Akron main campus located at 150 East Exchange St., Akron, OH 44325-7801
• Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

For more information about exhibitions or events:

• Phone: 330-972-5950
• Email: artgallery@uakron.edu   
• Website: www.uakron.edu/art/galleries
• Social media: Facebook, Instagram