Annual art exhibit showcases student work

FOR RELEASE: Monday, May 4, 1998

Huntington, Ind. " The Department of Art at Huntington College presents its annual Student Art Exhibition through May 12 at the Robert E. Wilson Gallery in Huntington College's Merillat Centre for the Arts. Tonya Lonsbury, a freshman graphic design major from Angola, Indiana, was the top winner of the exhibition, receiving both the prestigious Best of Show and People's Choice Awards.

Lonsbury's award-winning work is a drawing of a young boy, entitled "Picture of Innocence?" She said, "I found the picture in a photo book and cropped it to show just his face. I love his expression, because it looks like he is going to his mom and dad saying, 'I'm innocent.' There is something in his eyes saying, 'I'm guilty, but I'm trying to look innocent.'"

According to Professor Rebecca Coffman, associate professor of art, "The Best of Show Award is a purchase award that was established with the financial assistance of Robert E. Wilson. The student artists receives a $250 prize, and the work becomes part of the permanent collection of the College's Wilson Gallery."

While very pleased by the high honor of winning Best of Show, Lonsbury is thrilled to have also received the People's Choice Award for the same work. "It is almost a higher honor than Best of Show. It is really a high honor to be the people's choice, because as an artist, you try to appeal to the audience."

Serving as guest juror was Dennis Jones, an independent freelance artist from the Huntington area. In his juror's statement, Jones said, "We all look at the world through our own personal lens, shaped by our training and our experiences and our own unique personalities and tastes. Let me assure you, selecting the winners for this show was not an easy task. Several of the 'Achievement Award' winners were in the running of top honors. There are many outstanding works of art in this collection."

Overall Award recipients include:

Rebekah Brown, a senior graphic design major from Bluffton, Indiana, received First Place Overall for her photo "Covered." Rebekah Brown also received Outstanding Achievement Awards in photography for "The American Fit IV," "Gracefulness," "Partially Covered," and "Water Under The Expanse."

Amanda Lucich, a freshman art education major from Valparaiso, Indiana, received Second Place Overall for an untitled drawing. Amanda also received an Outstanding Achievement Award for her drawing, "Still Life."

Jeremy McClung, a senior Bible and religion major from Huntington, Indiana, received Third Place Overall for his batik "A Moment in the Midst of Eternity"

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients in Drawing include:

Linda Atalla, a freshman graphic design major from Kokomo, Indiana, for "Me"

Elizabeth Michaelsen, a sophomore broadcasting major from St. Charles, Illinois, for "Death Be Not Proud"

Leslie Shawver, a freshman art education major from Columbia City, Indiana, for "Edna"

Miles Stock, a sophomore graphic design major from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, for "Hunger." Miles also received an Outstanding Achievement Award in photography for "Into The Light I Peer."

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients in Ceramics include:

Dustina Bowman, a senior graphic design major from Peru, Indiana, for "Dainty Blue," and "Primative Rose"

Rachel Diemer, a freshman from Grand Ledge, Michigan, for "Vase"

Brooke Hopper, a sophomore fine art major from Huntington, Indiana, for "Bowl," "Wings," "Dance," and "A Stained Glass"

Jami Stoffel, a junior art education major from Huntington, Indiana, for "Raku Teapot" and "Lidded Jar"

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients in Photography include:

Marcie Rance, a sophomore graphic design major from Logansport, Indiana, for "Roses Coming Through"

Sara Waldrop, a sophomore graphic design major from Syracuse, Indiana, for "Twisted"

Darla Workman, a junior graphic design major from Kansas City, Missouri, for "Music," and "Old Tire Swing"

Outstanding Achievement Award recipients in Textile include:

Erin Prendergast, a sophomore art education major from Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, for "Under The Sea"

Art is one of many distinctive academic programs available at Huntington College. Located on a contemporary, wooded campus in Huntington, Indiana, the four-year Christian liberal arts college offers graduate and undergraduate programs in nearly 50 academic concentrations.

Annual art exhibit showcases student work

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