On Feb. 10 in the Tyler Art Gallery, Oswego State held its 54th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. At this event, students of any major were invited to share their artwork in the newly renovated gallery, with the opportunity to win an award and to gain recognition. Held by Suzanne Beason, the president of the Student Art Exhibition Committee (SAEC),the exhibition displayed a range of work including photography, sculptures alongside both digital and traditional paintings. 

“This is our first juried student exhibition in this space,” said Michael Flanagan, the director of the art gallery. “It’s very nice to see how the renovated space really brings out the best of the student’s artwork. We tried something new this year – online submission, making it easier for anyone to apply and submit work.”

The event opened at 5 p.m. and a flood of people began to arrive, crowding the entire gallery from one end to the other. Many of those attending were just passing through, in awe of the amount of talent and dedication involved with making the artwork. Most though were the contributors themselves along with their friends and family.

“Sometimes students who are in certain classes don’t see the work of their classmates and we feel that this is a great opportunity for that and to kind of see the best of the best,” explains Rebecca Mushtare, a faculty member in the graphic design department. 

The styles of artwork in the exhibition ranged from observational to completely abstract and off-the-wall. One student embroidered a small pickle and another submitted an eerily realistic ceramic sculpture of a shirt placed next to a volleyball. A good majority of the work, however, dealt with a variety of political, social and everyday issues. 

One of the contributors, Trevor Krencick, who was later given an award for his efforts, explained what his inspirations were for creating his politically-charged digital illustration, titled “Election 2016.”

“We’re living in a very divisive time,” Krencick said. “And I think it is even more divisive now. There are completely heinous arguments – very toxic on both sides.”

His work depicted a man cowering between two crowds of people, lifting signs and shouting at one another.

“There’s almost no constructive conversations going on right now.”  Krencick said.

Krencick viewed submitting his work as a way of adding to a conversation he believes desperately needs to be had and the exhibition gave him that outlet. 

However, many artists,did not want to delve into an issue, and simply wanted to use the event as a way of showing off their raw talent. Brandon Smith, a graphic design student, described the process of making his large print of an owl, which was composed completely out of small triangles.

“I worked in Photoshop and Illustrator,” Smith said. “Each of the triangles I produced individually and I applied a gradient to each one. I took about 12 hours to make it. It was very fulfilling.”

The awards presentation began an hour after the gallery opened and the artists held their breath as they waited to see if their name would get called. For some, there was a chance of receiving the Presidential Purchase Prize – allowing their work to be part of the college’s permanent collection and to receive what every college student wants and needs most, money.

Among the jurors who decided the winners were two Oswego State art alumni: Christopher Harrold, the vice president and creative director of Mohawk Fine Papers, and Stephen Brucker, a glass artist, sculptor and flame-working instructor at the Corning Museum of Glass studio. 

Before the awards were officially handed out, Oswego State President Deborah Stanley spoke in front of the crowd to give a short speech and congratulate those who had given their time and effort.

“We have to remember that we’re human,” Stanley said. “The only way to ever remember that is to kind of walk into the expressions of other people and start to think through life with a different lens. That lens is not the lens of TV, or pundits who want to tell us what to think, but through individuals.” 

After her speech, a set of envelopes were handed out to the selected winners. The winners are below.

Those who did not win an award went home with the satisfaction of knowing they put their work out there, which takes a lot of bravery and determination.

The Next show at Tyler will begin on March 3.