Students glimpse into world of professional artists in exhibition

You don’t have to look very far to find Baylor students going above and beyond. This time, look no further than the art department, where a varied collection of artwork is currently on display.

The Martin Museum of Art is hosting the Baylor Art Student Exhibition, which started on March 28 and will run until April 17 in Gallery 1 and 2. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Karin Gilliam, director of the museum located in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center, said she is dedicated to the event’s impact and meaning for the involved students.

“This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the artistic talent and the achievements of our students,” Gilliam said. “It’s also a wonderful learning experience for the students because for many of them, it’s the first time they’ve ever entered an exhibition, and certainly a juried exhibition.”

A juried exhibition is where an individual or panel of judges selects the art for the exhibition and select pieces that are recognized.

Divided into the two rooms of the museum, the collection features photographs, various works of sculpture, graphic designs, paintings, drawings and other mediums and even a quilt. The photos and works on canvas line the walls of both rooms and the sculptures sit on pedestals near the center of each room.

All of the artwork was made within the past year by students who have taken at least one art class.

Shelley Owens, a prominent Texan artist who lives and works in Dallas, selected 92 of 200 entries from Baylor art students for the event. The art on display will be available for purchase.

Gilliam said the pieces will be affordable for students, averaging at about $50. She said this is much less than what a normal, professional gallery would offer for its pieces.

The exhibition has also provided the students with an opportunity to learn the process of submitting art.

“They’re learning everything from how to do the application, to how to present their work in a professional manner,” Gilliam said.

The students are also impressed with the high quality of their peers’ works and various types of art pieces.

“I think it’s really great to show how each different medium is being represented,” Rosebud junior Daniel Kleypas said. “We really see the great stuff.”

Kleypas submitted photography and had a series of four photos selected for the exhibition. This series, “Things Fall Apart,” depicts old, dilapidated objects such as a shack and a car with a broken headlight.

In addition to this event, the art department hosted Jesus Moroles, a successful sculptor, who served as a guest juror for the exhibition.

One of his works, “Las Mesas,” stands in front of the Waco Convention Center. It is a tall, narrow piece of art on a stone pedestal.

Moroles presented his lecture, “Creating a Sense of Place,” to the art department March 28.

Juror’s Choice Awards were given to Midland junior Rebekah Campbell, Lubbock senior Amy Gonzales, Hewitt senior Sarah Groman, Leander junior Kendal Kulley, Paradise Valley, Ariz., senior Sam Panter, Elgin senior Katy Powell, Kountze senior Blair Reed and Abilene senior Zakk Washington.

Viewers can also vote on their favorite piece, and the artist with the most votes will be given the People’s Choice Award. The winner will be announced on April 16.

Gilliam said she believes the students will benefit from being judged by such effective and seasoned jurors who understand the process of creation.

“They’re coming in with a very objective, critical eye,” Gilliam said. “[Moroles] will be able to speak to the students about what they look for, as far as criteria and what they expect, as far as what is worthy to get into an exhibition.”

This advice will also reiterate what the art students have been studying and learning during their time at Baylor.

Gilliam said many things Moroles said were familiar to the students because their professors have been saying it throughout their time as art students.

“But there’s nothing like hearing it firsthand from an outside professional artist to really underscore or drive home those points,” Gilliam said.