Marshall students’ artwork competed alongside professional artists from across the country at a national juried exhibition, encouraging exploration beyond the main campus. The exhibition concluded with a reception Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Visual Arts Center.

The 15th Annual National Juried Exhibition was hosted by the School of Art & Design and displayed in the Charles W. and Norma C. Carroll Gallery. The exhibition featured 30 selected works chosen through a blind jury process. 

SOAD Director Mark Zanter opened the reception by welcoming guests and briefly discussing upcoming events at the Visual Arts Center before introducing Gallery Director Sophia Celdrán, who served as the primary speaker for the evening.

Celdrán said the exhibition reflects the gallery’s mission of making contemporary art accessible to both students and the wider community.

“We want this space to feel open and welcoming,” Celdrán said. “These galleries are free to the public, and they’re here as a resource for students and for the community to engage with art in a meaningful way.”

According to Celdrán, the exhibition received 225 entries and was juried through a blind review process with 30 works selected for the final show.

The exhibition was juried by Erica B. Hess, painter,the artistic director of visual arts at the Chautauqua Institution and host of the “I Like Your Work” podcast. Celdrán said the blind jury process allows student artists to compete on equal footing with established professionals.

“It’s a huge confidence boost to be able to say, ‘I was put up against 225 professional artists and came out in the top 30,’” Celdrán said.

Nearly half of the selected works were created by Marshall students or recent graduates, Celdrán said, with three of the four award recipients coming from Marshall. The top award carried a $500 prize.

Celdrán said the juror noted a recurring theme among the selected works that focused on “the narrative of place, particularly the environment and how it impacts our identity.”

Celdrán said hosting national juried exhibitions allows students to encounter professional-level artwork and diverse artistic approaches without leaving Huntington.

“You can come in during the week, walk through the gallery and experience work from artists all over the country,” Celdrán said. “That kind of exposure is really valuable, especially for students who are developing their own creative voices.”

Nick Baker of Paintsville, Kentucky, attended the reception to see a family member’s artwork, titled “Cloud Kiss,” which was included in the exhibition. Baker said it was his first time attending a gallery exhibition.

“Oh, absolutely,” Baker said when asked about the importance of events like the exhibition. “It brings a lot of people in and just gives you a better understanding of art.”

Morgan Napier and Brady Goddard, both recent alumni living in Huntington, said the exhibition creates opportunities for connection among students working in different disciplines and locations across campus.

Napier said she attended to see how the Visual Arts Center approaches a national juried exhibition and to view artwork from across the country in a single space.

“I think it’s important to just see the creativity that’s in the community,” Napier said. “Being in the space with the artists and with other people from your community, you’re learning different perspectives.”

Goddard, who previously participated in juried exhibitions at the gallery, said events like the reception help students connect with peers they might not otherwise encounter.

“Trying to get just the average person talking about your community is important,” Goddard said. “You’re seeing classmates you may never get to see face-to-face, especially if you’re mostly on the main campus and others are downtown. You’re not only seeing what students in another field are creating, but you’re actually meeting them.”

Napier said visiting the Visual Arts Center encourages students to explore beyond the main campus and engage with the broader creative environment in downtown Huntington.

“I think it’s important, especially for students, if you’re always on the main campus to kind of explore what’s out there,” Napier said. “Marshall is not just one campus. It’s spread out, and coming downtown, seeing the creativity that’s here and walking around to different shops, it’s important to branch out and see what else is out there.”

David Lozano can be contacted at [email protected].