Visual art students are currently exhibiting their works in the Student Fine Art Exhibition in the Contemporary Art Gallery. This show is a juried art exhibition and is only open for Southeastern’s visual art students to submit their work. As a requirement, all submitted works had to be created as part of a class curriculum.

Dale Newkirk, director of the gallery, stressed the importance of students participating in the show.

“It’s important for building their resume for when they get out of school to have some exhibitions under their belt,” said Newkirk. “Another thing it does is it shows other students what is considered, at least by expert opinion, to be some of the best work in the department. And it allows them to see what other students are doing. Just because you’re taking classes here doesn’t mean you have an idea of the broad range of stuff that’s being done here.”

This juried student art show takes place every spring semester, and each year the gallery reaches outside of the campus to find a different juror. The juror for this year is Kevin Jones.

“This juror is from Tulane University,” said Newkirk. “He’s the head of the digital art department there. We bring in somebody from the outside who’s a professional artist and who’s respected. That way it doesn’t have the bias as if we use someone in the department.”

Students who were admitted into the exhibition were ecstatic to find out that their work would be displayed.

“When I found out that I made it into the show, I felt accomplished that I’m doing something right,” said senior graphic design major Kaylee Philippe. “Making it into the show reassured me that I’m on the right track with my career as an artist. I like my work, but if other people like my work, then hey, I’ve got a job.”

Unlike most state or national art exhibitions, an entry fee was not required to submit works to the student show. Although fewer pieces have made it into the show this season, there’s been more sculpture and digital art in this exhibit than in previous years. Students were able to submit up to four works for consideration, with the only stipulations being that the works were created in class and that they were properly mounted or framed.

“Most group shows you have to pay like a $25 entry fee,” said Newkirk. “It’s free for these students, and they need to get used to being part of that process because that’s the only way you build your resume. Galleries are not going to take on somebody that’s never shown before, so you have to get used to doing these juried shows.”

The Student Fine Art Exhibit opened on Thursday, March 10 and will remain on display through April 8 in the Contemporary Art Gallery, which is located next to East Strawberry Stadium. The gallery is free to attend and open to the public during the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.