Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Nine students in Mississippi State’s Department of Art received special awards and helpful feedback as part of the 46th Student Juried Exhibition at the university’s McComas Hall Art Gallery.

The spring exhibition featured 80 works selected from 263 creations submitted for consideration.

Best in Show and sponsored prizes were presented in the fine art, graphic design and photography categories. All MSU Department of Art alumni, guest jurors for this year’s exhibition were Adam Trest, professional artist and owner of Adam Trest Home in Laurel; Jerry Jackson, senior photo editor with The Baltimore Sun; and Sarah Foley, senior design manager at Johnson and Johnson in New York City.

Lori Neuenfeldt, MSU art department instructor and gallery director, said the juried exhibition provides current students opportunities to exhibit their work and receive feedback from Bulldog graduates making a name for themselves as creative professionals. Neuenfeldt said Foley attended the exhibition reception and shared her knowledge with students in graphic design classes.

“For the past four years, Sarah has met with students during our New York City Field Study trip and has helped students gain internships and job opportunities in New York City,” Neuenfeldt said. “She is one of our amazing alumni who continues to make a major impact here at MSU and on a national level.”

MSU’s 2018 Student Juried Exhibition award winners include (by hometown):

BOONEVILLE—Senior art/fine arts major Moesha S. Wright, RGH Artists’ Paint Award and Dr. Bourgeois Foundation Purchase Award for “Sugary Deception.”

CLINTON—Senior art/graphic design major Gerald A. Wicks, Graphic Design Best in Show for “Don’t Be a Homewrecker: Plant a Tree.”

MAYHEW—Senior art/photography major Robert W. Lewis, Photography Best in Show for “CAR WASH: Dog.”

NESBIT—Senior mathematics major Dominic A. Serpico, MSU Dean of Students Purchase Award for “Teapot & Pocket Vase.”

NEW ALBANY—Senior art/fine arts major Darren J. Cheairs, Starkville Area Arts Council Award for “Found Enlightened Object”

OLD HICKORY, Tennessee—Senior art/fine arts major Claire M. Burgett, Fine Art Best in Show for “Home.”

OXFORD—Sophomore art major Mary M. Jackson, Foundation Best in Show for “Copy of a Collage.”

STARKVILLE—Senior art/fine arts major Ashley N. Rude, Mount Vision Pastel Award for “Folds.”

VALRICO, Florida—Senior art/photography major Colleen E. McInnis, MSU College of Architecture Art and Design Purchase Award for “Real Aladin.”

Celebrating 50 years, MSU’s Department of Art is home to the Magnolia State’s largest undergraduate studio art program. For more, visit www.caad.msstate.edu and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CAADatMSU.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.