On Feb. 3, a dozen University of the Ozarks students displayed their artwork at the annual Collegiate Exhibition and Competition held at the River Valley Arts Center in Russellville. Two Ozarks students walked away with prizes, including one with the grand prize.
Sophomore Kurstein Keck’s sculpture, “Catastrophe Wonderland” took honorable mention in the competition.
The event at River Valley Arts Center is one of the few state-wide juried art competitions for college students each year. It represents a wonderful opportunity for students to have professional feedback about their work.
Kurstein Keck, a sophomore art major from Pettigrew, Ark., won honorable mention for her ceramic sculpture bust, "Catastrophe Wonderland."
"My sculpture is a very colorful piece showing how natural beauty is being destroyed by pollution," Keck explained.
Dylan Eakin, a senior art major from Lamar, Ark., won the Best of Show category for his ceramic sculpture bust, "Looking Up." In addition to winning Best of Show, Eakin received $150 and a solo exhibition at the River Valley Arts Center, scheduled for December 2013.
Other U of O students who displayed their artwork at the exhibit included, Josue Ayala, Abigail Kern, Tyler Rideout, Jose Carranza, Carmen Castorena, Carlos Ramirez, Chelsey Becker, Elizabeth di Paola, James Storer, and Chloe Chrimes.
Ozarks Associate Professor of Art Tammy Harrington was delighted with her students and their showing at the exhibition.
"I am proud of the achievements of our students," she said. "It is always rewarding to see that our students can compete with students from other art programs in the area. Assistant Professor of Art Dawn Holder, who is in charge of our 3D area, has been a great asset to our program. Her short time at Ozarks has already shown an impact on our students and on what they can achieve."
The exhibition, containing all the works submitted by Ozarks students, will be on display at River Valley Arts Center in Russellville throughout the month of February. The arts center is located at 1001 E B Street in downtown Russellville.
Senior Dylan Eakin and Assistant Professor of Art Dawn Holder stand next to Eakin’s bust “Looking Up,” which won the Best of Show category in the annual Collegiate Exhibition and Competition, held Feb. 3 in Russellville.
Topics: Art