More than 40 student artists showcased their talents Friday during a juried exhibition reception at McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, where a wide range of artwork filled the gallery walls and visitors gathered to celebrate the creativity of local artists.
The exhibit featured work created by students from various classes and workshops offered through the gallery. Pieces included acrylic, pastel, oil, watercolor, graphite and colored pencil works, highlighting a variety of artistic styles and subjects.
During the reception, award-winning watercolor artist and instructor Ken Call served as the exhibit judge and announced winners for first, second and third place, along with three honorable mentions.
“It’s not a job, it’s very pleasant to come in and look at artwork,” Call said. “It takes a lot of bravery to come out of your comfort zone and enter a show like this.”
Carol Trzcinski, executive director of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center, said the student exhibition marked the return of a juried showcase after several years.
“We haven’t had a juried exhibit of our students’ work in a few years,” Trzcinski said.
She added that the exhibition demonstrated both the skill and diversity of the gallery’s student artists.
“Their artwork represents a variety of mediums and topics, including acrylic, pastel, oil, watercolor, graphite and color pencil,” she said. “Prizes are awarded for first, second and third place, plus three honorable mentions. Stop by to see all the beautiful work and the prize winners.”
First place went to Carolyn Galik for her acrylic painting, “Sibling Serenity.”
“The painting was a reference out of a magazine that I found at a garage sale many years ago,” Galik said.
The painting depicts two children playing outside on vivid, detailed green grass.
Galik attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago from 1975 to 1977 with hopes of becoming an illustrator.
“Life had other plans and up until last year, I have no painted since,” she said.
But picking up the brush again proved to be the right decision for Galik, whose return to painting earned the exhibition’s top honor.
Second place went to Terry Sanders for her colored pencil piece, “Contemplative.”
“I began taking art classes at McCord nine years ago,” Sanders said.
Her artwork consists of detailed self-portraits that showcase intricate shading and realism.
Third place went to Chung Sim Pack for her watercolor painting, “Silent Reflection.” The painting beautifully reflects a sailboat on vivid blue waters.
Guests attending the reception spent the evening viewing the artwork, speaking with artists and enjoying the gallery’s celebration of student achievement.
The exhibit remains on display through June 6 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.
