Students and professors alike are bracing to see who takes the top prize next week at Lander University's annual "Student Juried Exhibit."
The public exhibit, run by the College of Arts & Humanities since the mid-1970s, takes place from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 7, in the Monsanto Art Gallery of the Josephine B. Abney Cultural Center.
"We've had considerable interest in this year's show from all levels of art students," said gallery director Jon Holloway. "It should be a very beautiful and engaging exhibit."
All student works will be on display from Feb. 7-28, with sculpture, ceramics, computer graphics, drawing, painting and print making, and photography.
A total of 45 entries from 36 students were chosen for this year's exhibit, and Dr. Jim Slagle, associate professor of art and Chair of Lander's Art Department, said anticipation is running high to see the outcome.
"Each student is allowed to submit three works," Slagle said. "There will be a 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place prize in each category, plus honorable mentions and a best in show."
The exhibition juror will be Jennifer A. Smith, Gallery Director for The Arts Center of Greenwood.
A Lander alum, Smith graduated in 2010 and has organized over 120 art exhibitions from 2010-19.
"Jennifer will pick all the winners in this year's show," Holloway said. "It should be one of our most anticipated exhibits of the year, and the students' work continues to get stronger each year."