Written by: Gretchen Sims

The second annual Art Fest was held on May 17. Western students, along with select high school and community college students, were invited to showcase their artwork in select WOU Art Galleries for a chance to win awards and prizes. The 55th Annual Juried Art & Design Student Exhibition has taken over gallery spaces in the Instructional Technology Center and Campbell Hall until June 9. The high school and community college works were located in the Hamersly Library, but were taken down after the awards ceremony. 

Awards were presented to various students after a long day filled with engaging art across campus. While some awards offered money, some added the opportunity for the student’s art to be commemorated permanently in several buildings on campus and in the new Monmouth Town Hall. 

This year’s juried exhibit was judged by Chelsea Couch. The six $50 Juror’s Awards were given to Chawni Childress, Michael Holley, Mnemosyne McKay, Morgan Amerson Horton, Quinlan Elise and Lillian Roth. 

The Dean of Liberal Art and Sciences Award offered three $100 awards to outstanding students. These were presented to Annabelle Bullock, Lillian Roth and Quinlan Elise. 

The Serendipity Purchase Award is one of the most prestigious awards that is given out each year. The art piece that wins this award will be permanently displayed in the Werner University Center. This beautiful tradition was awarded to both runner-up, Anthony Quinones, and winner, Emelie Shay.

The Dean of Education Purchase Award is also unique in the fact that the selected art piece will get to be the next installment in the Richard Woodcock Education Center’s art collection. This year, the winner of this award was Quinlan Elise. 

The City of Monmouth Arts and Culture Purchase Award was given out to the student whose art will be displayed in the new Monmouth City Hall. This honor was presented to Melody Barrett.

The Wolfstore Award gives its winners a $50 gift certificate to the Wolfstore — to be redeemed for art supplies or Western merchandise. This year, three of these awards were given to Violet Babbitt, Mikayla Coleman and Anthoney Quinones.

Last but not least, the Faculty Recognition Award, given to this year’s most outstanding art & design student, was presented to Anthoney Quinones.

Western’s student artists presented strong and high quality work, showing evidence of a fantastic year of creation.

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu