Photo by Blake Hershberger.
Bluffton University’s 51st Juried Student Exhibition showcases work made by students in art classes this academic year. Not only does the exhibition showcase work, but prizes worth a total of $550 are awarded in memory of Gregg Luginbuhl.
Luginbuhl was a professor of art and ceramics and chair of the art department at Bluffton University from 1984 to 2016.
Photo by Blake Hershberger.
This year the work was selected by artist and sculptor Judy Greavu.
Art and writing major Cara Echols ’19 was awarded Best in Show for her computer generated piece “Uh, Houston…?”
“It is humbling to think that someone thinks that your art is worth distinction. That’s all an artist really wants I think – someone to acknowledge and see their work as important and influential.”
Cara Echols: “Uh, Houston…?” Photo by Blake Hershberger.
Echols explains that just to get your work in the gallery in the first place is an honor. It provides you with a sense of accomplishment when the work you put lots of time, energy and emotions into, is placed alongside other great artist, who are you peers.
Echols said she enjoys being able to provide people with something visually pleasing, yet also emotionally meaningful.
“Everyone can gather some meaning from a piece of art whether they can read or write or not” she explains.
Awards of distinction for overall body of work went to Elizabeth Luersman, Brista Drake, Rebecca Baden and Katey Ebaugh. The Gregg Luginbuhl Award for Ceramics went to Mary Bias for His Favorite Glaze Combo.
For a gallery of the Best in Category pieces, click through the images below.
Beth Weigandt won Best in Category for Computer Generated with Reason for More.
The Exhibition is open until May 6 in the Grace Albrecht Gallery in Sauder Visual Arts Center. The gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
