The Salt Lake Community College Visual Art and Design (VAD) department is preparing to showcase the best SLCC student artwork for the 40th time.
“It is an annual event where students enter their best work,” VAD professor Lana Gruendell explains. “Originally it was just for students in the department.”
Current SLCC students have submitted original CG art, paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures and other types of artwork produced sometime over the past year.
“They can enter up to four pieces,” Gruendell said, “It has to be frame-able and ready for display.”
The content of submissions is diverse, and may include nudity.
“We do have nudes, because we teach life drawing [at the college],” Gruendell says.
Nudes are accepted, according to Gruendell, “As long as it’s tasteful.” No explicit or pornographic art is accepted.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Student Art Show. The gallery will be open and free for public viewing.
“It’s just to showcase their work,” Gruendell said, “And to let the public enjoy what we do here at the college.”
Some of this year’s judges include SLCC alumni.
Former VAD student Jill De Haan is a graphic designer and letterer who works for the STRUCK creative agency in Salt Lake City. Former SLCC student and U of U grad Benjamin Higbee is a painter, sculptor and mixed media artist who lives in Salt Lake. SLCC alumnus Kenneth Hoffmann is an Editor and Animator with Lone Peak Productions in Salt Lake.
Other judges on the panel include Anne Marie Oborn, an instructor at Ovanes Berberian, and Christine Baczek, the owner of Baczek Photography and current exhibitions manager at the Kimball Art Center.
At the end of the show, nearly twenty awards will be given to the best works, including cash prizes.
There will be a best of show prize; a dean’s award, which will be presented by Richard Scott, interim dean of the School of Arts and Communication; and the president’s award, to be presented by Dr. Deneece Huftalin. Awards of excellence and honorable mentions will also be given to selected entrants.
The Student Art Showcase will be held at the South City Campus from April 10 through April 22 from noon to 6 p.m and April 23 from noon to 2 p.m.
