Skip to content
Contact USI

April 1 - 29, 2018
McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries
University of Southern Indiana

Dog rising above plastic soldiers
Best of Show. Dogzilla, Jacob Smith, digital photography

The 48th Annual University of Southern Indiana Juried Student Art Show is on display April 1 – 29, 2018 in the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries on the USI Campus. Juror Jim May selected 178 art and design works from 432 artworks entered.  The exhibit features a wide array of drawings, photographs, graphic designs, prints, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and video, wood and ceramic works.

There will be a free public reception for the student artists on Sunday, April 8, 2 – 4 p.m.  Over $9000 in merit awards, scholarships and USI Art Collection purchase awards will be announced in a ceremony at 3 p.m.

Juror Jim May worked at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites as curator of fine arts (1993-2001), director of collections and interpretation (2001-2005) and vice president of museum programs (2006-2009). While serving as director of collections he developed the inaugural exhibits for the new Indiana State Museum that opened in 2002.  He has been an instructor at the Herron School of Art at IUPUI and director for the Center for Art, Design and Public Life. From 2009 – 2013 Mr. May worked at Briljent, LLC in instructional design and training services.  He returned to art and not-for-profit management when he became the executive director of the Hoosier Salon in March 2015. Mr. May earned a BFA in painting and commercial design from the University of Evansville and a holds a Master’s degree in art history from Indiana University.

JUROR’S STATEMENT: In this show those students demonstrating the artistry of their media distinguished themselves. I focused on artists with proficiencies that allowed the expression of their unique aesthetics. The final pieces were chosen to represent a wide range of approaches, but each artist included shows a grounding in solid foundational skills that will be necessary to continue as a serious artist. My best wishes to all the students who participated! Good luck to you in your endeavors. Jim May, March 2018

Juror Jim May was curator of fine arts at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites (1993-2001), director of collections and interpretation (2001-2005) and vice president of museum programs (2006-2009). While serving as director of collections he developed the inaugural exhibits for the new Indiana State Museum that opened in 2002.  He has been an instructor at the Herron School of Art at IUPUI and director for the Center for Art, Design and Public Life. From 2009 – 2013 Mr. May worked at Briljent, LLC in instructional design and training services.  He returned to art and not-for-profit management when he became the executive director of the Hoosier Salon in March 2015. Mr. May earned a BFA in painting and commercial design from the University of Evansville and a holds a Master’s degree in art history from Indiana University.

Multiple artworks in the Gallery

Photo of woman with wings
Azreal, Ben Turner
Woman with white hair
Modified Self, Corie Sowders
Two hands clasped
A Touch from the Past, Donald MacLean Kennedy
Multiple graphic novel panels
Breaking the Status Quo, Evan Kisner
Hands and parts of hands
Jacob, Henry Jenkins
Courthouse tower on wood planks
Courthouse, Kayla Hands
Bright travel posters
Colors of Travel, Kristen Huff
Lighted stained glass panels with trees
Deciduous Luminaries, Kate Ryder
Pill bottle and various pills with emojis on them
Daily Meds, Laicee Blackwell
Man with wings
Marginalized Masculinity, Livia Alexander
Hexagonal cabinetry with legs
Beekeep, Jordan Sobotka
Ceramic jars with cutout work
Del Flavo lustre jars, Michelle Higgins
Image of crowned woman holding a body with no feet
Children of War, Patrick Bennett
Image of a pitcher with a lid and curving spout
Traditions, Sarah Alsaied
Painted image of food
Meal 1, Tabatha Chinn
Wooden head, split in half, with brain made of small faces
Tiny Monsters, Tyler Glendon

Awards

Award Artist Title
Best of Show Jacob Smith Dogzilla
Ceramics Merit Award Jacob McConnell Salva Mea
Drawing Merit Award Aden Parsons Contemporary Spanish Teacher
Illustration Merit Award Beth M. Eversole Seasons
Publication Design Merit Award Meleah Brock Jonah and the Whale
Branding Design Merit Award Amy Jo McMann Branding Palette
Poster Design/Informational Graphics Merit Award Lydia Wheatley House of Sparrow: Invasion of the Nest
3D Printing Merit Award Mason Ward Two Abstract Cardinals
        Evan Kisner Stone Fingers
Jewelry Merit Award Amanda Goodman Limb Love
Painting Merit Award Livia Alexander Marginalized Masculinity
Photography Merit Award Lauren H. Schmitt Longing
Darkroom Photography Merit Award Jenna Bowman Skin Deep; Body Insecurities
Printmaking Merit Award Kayne Witham Brett Down Under
Sculpture Merit Award Levi Schulz Godly Weight
Woodworking Merit Award Steven Miller Never Forgotten
Freshman Scholarship in Memory of Jim Parrent Anna Saylor All-Consuming Man
Sophomore Scholarship Henry Jenkins Jacob
Junior Scholarship Samantha Haas Time, My Family
Sophomore/Junior Scholarship Austin Delano Life in Color
Excellence in Graphic Design Scholarship Jessica LaMar The Kitchen Buffet Logo
Sophomore/Junior Ceramics Scholarship Samantha Boring Abyss
Degreed Student Merit Award Angela Bohan Imprisoned
Senior Merit Award Livia Alexander Grip of Oizys (Stressed Induced Insomnia)
Junior Merit Award Lauren H. Schmitt My Father's Hands
Sophomore Merit Award Kayla Hands Courthouse
Freshman Merit Award Hannah Abney Insomnia
Stephon Herron '81 Memorial Award Kate Ryder You've Got Your Gran's Nose
Dee Millard Memorial Award in Woodworking Tylar Dean Under the Sea
Hoosier Salon Best Emerging Painter Award Patrick Bennett The Lost Children of War
Art Club Member Award Olivia Supper Because of You
Art Club Member Award Kristen Huff Retroverse Implement
Art Club Member Award Benjamin Turner Azreal
Art Club Member Award Brian Simpson Sad Ego
Art Club Member Award Gabriel Mayer Mantis Chair
Merit Award Evan Kisner Daybreak
Merit Award Kais Boukthir Personality Test
Merit Award Juanita Johnson Kenneth James Thomas
Merit Award Casi Bower Alien
Merit Award Sarah Alsaied A Tale Behind Pottery
Merit Award Payton Ahrens Daughter
Merit Award Matthew Clark Memento Mori
Merit Award Levi Schulz Demise
Merit Award Tabitha Chinn Asparagus & Lemon
Merit Award Christine Pyle And Then Shiva Stopped Dancing
Purchase Award Logan Tharpe Yes, It Works
Purchase Award Kayla Hands Courthouse
Purchase Award Ryan McKain Letting Go
Purchase Award Declan Lloyd It's not as black and white as it seems