The annual juried student art exhibit has been a tradition at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for many years. Held every January, the show invites art majors enrolled in foundationlevel classes through upper-level curriculums to submit up to two artworks that were created for class. These pieces are reviewed by a juror independent of UTC.
This year’s show goes on view Tuesday evening in the Cress Gallery in the Fine Arts Center. A reception and awards ceremony will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
From the 145 artworks submitted, juror William T. Dooley selected 64 to be displayed. Dooley, director and curator of the Sarah Moody Gallery at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, was impressed with the level of competence in the submissions. He was charged with the task of eliminating almost two-thirds of them, due to the limitations of available gallery space. The works he did choose conveyed a strong sense of draftsmanship, design and self-expression, he said in his juror’s statement.
“These explorations with materials, process, concept and content are potent,” he said. “I appreciate the craftsmanship of many pieces here, and I am encouraged by a sense of questioning and discovery found in the works submitted.”
In addition, Dooley tried to pick artworks that offered diversity in subject and approach.