Fifteen students from the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries will compete for a total of $1,750 in cash prizes at the second annual Emerging Artists showcase. A public reception will be held from 7–9 p.m. on March 2 in McKnight Art Center at Wichita State. Prizes will be announced at 7:30.
Emerging Artists is presented by the Art & Design Advocates, the patron group supporting ADCI. The Advocates create opportunities for WSU art and design students, including fundraising to support student travel, project costs and equipment purchases.
Sculptor Constance Ernatt is 2019 Emerging Artists juror. She will award three prizes of $1,000, $500 and $250. Celebrity Cruises is the award sponsor.
“We chose to partner with the Art & Design Advocates after last year’s great showcasing of WSU’s stellar art talent,” said Angel C. Gomez, Celebrity associate vice president of guest sales and service. “We have no better way of telling our local artists to stay local, and applaud them for their work, than by investing money into their talented work.”
Ernatt will consider both the quality of work presented as well as how well students are able to talk about their work in person and in the “Studio Life” video series.
Richard Overby, board president of the Art & Design Advocates, says Emerging Artists is an opportunity for both students and art lovers.
“This is a great opportunity for the public to meet rising talent,” Overby said.
Most of the work in the Emerging Artists show will be available for purchase from the artists.
Students were selected to participate based on faculty nominations, and works represent all four ADCI programs including art education, graphic design and studio art. Two art history students will serve as co-curators, and students are responsible for pricing and selling their own work.
“The Emerging Artists show represents an excellent applied learning opportunity for our students,” said Jeff Pulaski, ADCI director. “Everything about how the work is presented is up to them, and I’m confident they will represent the school well.”