UK Art Students Exhibit in University Open
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 11, 2015) — Six University of Kentucky art studio students were selected to exhibit in the ninth annual University Open.
Sponsored by LexArts, University Open features about 50 pieces of artwork from the state's best students, including eight works from UK. The juried competition and free public exhibition between fine arts majors attending Kentucky universities opened May 8, at ArtsPlace.
This year's University Open includes artwork from 32 young artists representing 11 public and private colleges in the Commonwealth. Pieces were selected by juror Becky Alley based on technical skill in the chosen medium and the approach to conceptual and/or formal issues.
"The advanced skills these young artists employ and the engaging work they are creating is evidence of an emerging and highly creative artistic culture," Alley said.
UK students whose work was selected to be featured in the University Open are: Tom Baker, an art studio senior from Lexington; Kim Hubbard, an art studio senior from Wilmore, Kentucky; Josh Richards, an art studio senior from Midway, Kentucky; Jacob Robertson, an art studio sophomore from Lexington; Melissa Shelton, a 2015 art studio graduate from Hopkinsville, Kentucky; and Ashley Worley, an art education and art studio senior from Mount Sterling, Kentucky.
LexArts is a nonprofit community organization that works for the development of a strong and vibrant community as a means of enhancing the quality of life in Central Kentucky. LexArts provides a wide range of programs designed to integrate the arts into our daily lives. Through its annual Campaign for the Arts, LexArts has raised millions of dollars in support of local arts. In turn, LexArts underwrites the operating expenses for a variety of beneficiary organizations and offers affordable exhibition and performance space for arts organizations, as well as competitive grants for community outreach projects.
The public can view the UK students' artwork and art from the state's other featured student artists in the University Open through June 27, at Artsplace, located at 161 North Mill St. Gallery hours for viewing are from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from noon- 5 p.m. Saturdays.
The UK School of Art and Visual Studies in the UK College of Fine Arts is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art studio, art history and visual studies, and art education.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu