High school art exhibit at SEMO brings recognition, experience

High school students who live within 100 miles of Southeast Missouri State University are representing their school at the "Exhibiting Excellence: 37th Annual High School Art Exhibition." beginning Feb. 8.

Art educators at the high school level were invited to submit 15 of their 11th- and 12th-grade students' artwork. The artwork could consist of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography and mixed media.

Carol Horst, an instructor in Southeast's art department, helped put the exhibition in motion, and many students and members of the community are eager to see what this year's exhibition has in store for them.

"This year 350 artworks were submitted and the juror, Dr. Karen Cummings, art education professor at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, selected 100 artworks for the exhibit," Horst said. "The exhibition is designed for the exhibiting students to receive the recognition they deserve for their creative endeavors, while their family, friends and teachers celebrate and encourage their hard work."

The Best of Show winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend Southeast as an art major. A junior will receive the Art Academy Award for outstanding work and will receive a scholarship to attend one of Southeast's summer Art Academy workshops.

This first-place drawing, "Another Day, Another Nickel," is by Marci Werner of Jackson. (Fred Lynch)

Art education students taking Techniques of Teaching Art assist with all phases of the exhibition: collecting the artwork, installing the exhibit and hosting the opening reception.

Emily Ludwinski, a senior at Southeast, is new to assisting an exhibition and is eager to get started.

Ludwinski said she is looking forward to viewing the array of high school artwork at the exhibit.

"You can really see the hard work and passion these students put into their projects. I am definitely excited to meet some of these high school artists," Ludwinski said. "I also found it interesting to see the juror make her decisions on which pieces would be selected."

Ludwinski has been on the other side of the canvas, so she understands what the experience is like for some of the participants.

"Robot" by Cameron Polley, of Bell City High School, seen Sunday received first place for sculpture in the 37th annual High School Art Exhibition at the River Campus. (Fred Lynch)

"I have submitted my own artwork into shows before, but I have never seen the other side of the process," Ludwinski said. "Hearing why a piece of artwork was rejected was very beneficial. I now have a better understanding of what judges are looking for. Another great thing about this process was that you got to see all of the artwork that was submitted. These high school students have skills. Even the rejected artwork was very impressive."

Callie Englehart, of Jackson High School, poses Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015 with her painting, I Dream in Aquamarine, which received Best of Show in the 37th annual High School Art Exhibition at the River Campus. (Fred Lynch)

Not only is the event an exhibit, but also it's a recruitment of sorts for Southeast. During the exhibit, Ludwinski, along with other Techniques of Teaching Art students, will congratulate students that made it into the exhibit and show prospective students around the River Campus. According to Ludwinski, many of the students involved in the exhibit may consider a path in art after high school, and it gives them the chance to see the studio spaces Southeast has to offer.

The "Exhibiting Excellence: 37th Annual High School Art Exhibition" will remain on display through March 8 in the Crisp Museum at on the River Campus. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St, Cape Girardeau, 63701