University of the Ozarks senior Alisha Nystrom-Shuey took home the grand prize in the 2015 Collegiate Competition & Exhibition, held Feb. 1 at the River Valley Arts Center in Russellville.
Carmen Castorena received an honorable mention for her digital video “The Perfect Tommy Girl.”
Nystrom-Shuey, an art major from Bentonville, Ark., won the event’s top award for her textile and mixed media artwork, “Eyes Wide Open.” In addition to the $200 cash award, she will have the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at the River Valley Arts Center in December 2015.
Ozarks art students David Nichols of Van Buren, Ark., and Carmen Castorena of Searcy, Ark., both won honorable mention awards at the competition. Nichols was cited for his ceramic “Tum-Tum,” and Castorena was honored for her digital video “The Perfect Tommy Girl.”
Other U of O students who submitted artwork in the competition included, Lyndsey Acton, Tyler Shepherd, Matt Wellborn, Obed Gonzalez and Amanda Fields.
“I am proud of all my students and their success in this exhibition,” said Ozarks Associate Professor of Art Tammy Harrington. ” It is always exciting for the students to have their talents and skills recognized. I want to give special thanks to [professor of philosophy] Dr. Bill Eakin because both Alisha’s and Carmen’s artworks were created for and influenced by his Modern and Contemporary Art History class. The students taking that course had the option to create a significant art project in lieu of writing a research paper. The success of these significant projects demonstrates the impact the University of the Ozarks faculty have on our students.”
The 2015 Collegiate Competition & Exhibition drew more than 20 entrants from college students throughout the River Valley. The exhibit is on display through Feb. 25 at the arts center, located at 1001 East B Street in Russellville.
Alisha Nystrom-Shuey’s textile and mixed media artwork “Eyes Wide Open,” won the grand prize of $200 and a solo exhibition during the 2015 Collegiate Competition & Exhibition, presented by the River Valley Arts Center.
Topics: Art