University of the Ozarks senior art student Connor Klein (pictured, from left) won Best in Show and fellow classmates Liam Neal and Jessica Frazier also won honors at last weekend’s 2023 Collegiate Competition at the River Valley Arts Center in Russellville, Ark.
Klein, an art and business administration major from Bentonville, Ark., beat out 30 other entrants to take the top honors at the annual competition for his drawing, Sea Sick. The Best in Show award comes with a cash prize and a solo exhibition at the River Valley Arts Center. Neal won first place with his sculpture, Hammered, and Frazer won honorable mention with her sculpture, ADHD. First place also comes with a cash prize.
Klein said it took about 20 hours to complete Sea Sick and that the inspiration behind the drawing is his passion for fishing and how the activity relaxes him.
“While fishing, the overwhelming thoughts of life disappear, as the act of fishing takes over,” he said. “The baits represent intrusive or overwhelming thoughts creeping into the experience of fishing. In life you have many choices as in fishing: The bait, the style of fishing, the targeted species, the location, or time. The choices you make are up to you, but if you think too much you ruin the experience you set out to have. The piece is done in graphite and uses aspects some realism/surrealism. I was excited to receive the award and feel honored to represent the school and my professor, Tammy Harrington.”
A total of six U of O art students participated in the competition. Juniors Jimena Delgado and Arianna Rosario as well as sophomore Alexandra Melgar were also included in the show.
“I am so pleased with the amount of students that entered this art competition,” said Harrington, professor of art at Ozarks. “It takes an extra effort to take the chance and opportunity to be evaluated by jurors. I was so excited to see that our three seniors won prizes. The art program encourages students to seek professional development opportunities while in school. Hopefully, this desire to be engaged in the art world stays with our students after they graduate. It is a boost of confidence and it gives students a chance to see how they match up in comparison to their peers.”
Harrington said the art majors in the program at Ozarks learn a variety of technical skills and gain exposure to different medias.
“During their junior and senior years, students work on thematic content development and create artwork that is specific to their visual style, technique, and goals,” she said. “During their final semester, each art major will install a solo exhibition of thesis artwork in Stephens Gallery. Often times at other institutions, seniors will show work in group shows. The solo exhibition is a much different experience that requires more focus and energy to create 15 to 20 related artworks.”
Klein, Neal and Frazier will present their solo senior exhibitions in April and May this semester. Klein’s artist talk will be April 6 at 7 p.m. in Baldor Auditorium and his art reception will be April 8, 6–7 p.m. in Stephens Gallery. Neal’s art reception will be April 22 from 6–7 p.m. in Stephens Gallery and his artist talk will be April 27 at 7 p.m. in Baldor Auditorium. Frazier’s artist talk will be May 2 at 7 p.m. in Baldor Auditorium and her art reception will be May 6 from 6–7 p.m. in Stephens Gallery.