Kaity Hersee, Staff Writer
On March 19, undergraduate art students gathered in the Visual and Performing Arts Centre, otherwise known as the VPAC, for the Undergraduate Art Exhibition. This event celebrates Freshman, Sophomore and Junior students and their creations.
The art show, which started at 4:30 p.m., consisted of time to view the student submissions, as well as a presentation of awards.
The winners of these awards are as follows:
Junior Awards:
- First Honors – Mia Weller and the Mazie crew
- Second Honors – Liberty Jones
- Honorable Mention – Joey Hahn
Sophomore Awards:
- First Honors – Marie Sanchez
- Second Honors – Cameryn Zastrow
- Honorable Mention – Cameron Witryk
Freshman Awards:
- First Honors – Eliza Malcom
- Second Honors – Rhys Snugg
- Honorable Mention – Gianna Biscotto
Floydie Award: Emily McMahon
Laura Watts Art History Award: Laila Anderson
The art exhibition was a great experience for many students, drawing submissions even from those who weren’t initially planning on participating.
“My friends kind of forced me to do it at the last minute, and then I was convinced,” Carrie Schmeelk, a sophomore graphic design major, said. “So I spent a full two and a half hours, maybe three hours, drawing session alone just going at it.”
For some students, submitting was a little scary; for others, it was much more natural. Of course, as an annual event, some students had experience with previous years and knew what to expect.
“I’d say this year felt far less nerve-racking in that it’s almost as if I’ve already proven myself and my skills – this is almost a victory lap or show that I’m still in the race,” said Cameryon Witryk, a sophomore animation major, who won an award last year and the honorable mention this year.
The art exhibition goes beyond just an event for students to show off their skills. For some students like Witryk, it’s about progress and personal reflection.
“It’s such a privilege to have the opportunity to show people how far one can come in just a short year, with the improvement and growth I’ve made,” Witryk said.
The event is very important for students, as it allows them to show off their skills to their peers and professors. But it’s not just students who look warmly on the art show. Even faculty have their fond memories and favourite parts. Noah Herman, one of the organizers and a visiting assistant professor, attended Daemen’s graphic design program from 2014 to 2018. His personal favourite part of the art exhibition has always been the opening ceremony.
“When I participated in the show as a student, the opening ceremony felt like the best way for faculty to really show off our achievements to the campus. It was a great way to boost my confidence as a student,” said Herman.
Years later, Herman has gone from submitting work to helping organize it. This, too, is special to him.
“At this year’s show, I was particularly struck by the level of work completed in our figure drawing classes,” said Herman. “Correctly rendering a figure is the hardest thing to do as an artist– and seeing it done convincingly so many times was inspiring.”
Herman’s praise highlights the dedication and skill of the students, a recognition that resonates with students as well.
“It’s just nice to hear a shout-out to some people who deserve it,” Schmeelk said.