WCC Student Art Show winners announced

April 11, 2023 Rich Rezler

Christina Smith standing in front of "Metrocity"
Christina Smith stands in front of her entry, "Metrocity," which won first place in the 2023 WCC Student Art Show. (Photo by Rebecca Thomas)

 

 

Christina Smith has always enjoyed drawing, making jewelry and other artistic pursuits in her free time, but says the art classes she’s taken as electives at Washtenaw Community College pushed her to new levels.

Still, her latest achievement — winning first prize at the 2023 WCC Student Art Show — was unexpected.

“My classes helped me find my strengths and improve on them, and have made it possible for me to make art that I’m proud of and want to show to others,” said Smith, a 21-year-old Whitmore Lake resident. “I never thought I would win first place. I was happy to just have the opportunity for my peers to see my work.”

The Student Art Show remains on display on the second floor of the Student Center through April 15. All entries were created as an assignment in a WCC Fine Arts or Digital Media Arts class.

Metrocity by Christina SmithSmith’s winning piece, “Metrocity,” (right) is a red and black conte on tracing paper created for a lesson on textures in instructor Robert Throne’s ART 122: Basic Drawing II class. For roughly 20 hours over two weeks, Smith incorporated everyday objects into the piece.

“I felt inspired to work with only the things I had in my art kit and backpack,” Smith said. “The process of creating it was very spontaneous and I didn’t really have a plan for how it would work. I was just executing ideas as they came to me.”

The title of the work didn’t emerge until months after the drawing was complete. While contemplating how its light and dark contrast could be interpreted very differently, Smith named it after the fictional city in the movie Megamind, in which the titular character pronounces Metrocity incorrectly.

“It felt like the right way to express that this drawing is up to the interpretation of the viewer in a way that isn’t too serious,” Smith said.

To claim top honors, Smith’s work rose above a record-setting 250 entries submitted for review. Show organizers selected 150 pieces by 130 different students to appear in the exhibit.

The show was abjudicated by Hoon Lee, an associate professor and program coordinator of ceramics at Grand Valley State University.

Lee’s comments on Metrocity: “This work is very subtle, with dynamic texture and contrast. The limited use of color shows restraint. The work presents as a study in composition, balance and mark-making. The image is abstract but familiar. It conjures new, unexplored places and evokes emotions heretofore buried deep.”

Smith is following one of WCC’s many articulation agreements with Eastern Michigan University. She’ll complete 73 credits at WCC — earning an associate degree in Retail Management in the process — before transferring to EMU in 2024. There, she'lll complete 51 additional credits to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Marketing Innovation.

 

MORE ART SHOW WINNERS

WCC Student Art Show judge Hoon Lee said it was difficult to select just one work to honor in each category of the exhibit, along with the top three overall pieces.

“It is clear students at WCC are learning how to express themselves through their work, and exploring a variety of ideas, materials, processes and concepts,” Lee said. “The work is very strong and every piece had noteworthy qualities.”

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"Wind" by David Clipner

2ND PLACE

Student: David Clipner

Entry: “Wind,” digital video

View: Starts at 1:19 mark of digital video entry compilation

Judge’s comment: “This video was well planned and executed. The image quality, color, sound and composition were exceptional. The acting was also very strong with the story, which give you a smile and joyfulness. The sudden, misthrown disc with the red and blue flashing lights was unfortunate.”

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"Peaches in a Bowl" by Ann Munster

3RD PLACE

Student: Ann Munster

Entry: “Peaches in a Bowl,” digital print

Class: PHO 230: Portfolio Projects

Instructor: Don Werthman

Judge’s comment: “Reminiscent of Renaissance still-life paintings, the composition and richness of color are opulent. The photo is quiet yet moody, transporting the viewer to times of the past.”

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"Study on Cubism" by Murphy R. Hines

 

PROMISING ARTIST, TWO-DIMENSIONAL

Student: Murphy R. Hines

Entry: “Study on Cubism,” magazine collage

Class: ART 102: Color

Instructor: Jill Jepsen

Judge’s comment: “The movement and dimensions of this piece are remarkable. A quality study in color, this work is equally strong in terms of composition.”

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“Freddy with a Surprise Inside" by Void Spurr

PROMISING ARTIST, THREE-DIMENSIONAL

Student: Void Spurr

Entry: “Freddy with a Surprise Inside,” ceramic stoneware

Class: ART 121, Ceramics I

Instructor: Alex Clinthorne

Judge’s comment: “In terms of structure, detail, texture and glazing, this work demonstrates strong technique. The piece is well named – as I truly would like to see the surprise inside.”

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“Snow Over the Huron River" by Michaela Houff

PROMISING ARTIST, GRAPHIC DESIGN/PHOTOGRAPHY

Student: Michaela Houff

Entry: “Snow Over the Huron River,” digital photography

Class: PHO 129: Black and White Digital Imaging

Instructor: Terry Abrams

Judge’s comment: “This image is quiet and still, so much so that it is warming to view despite representing frigid temperatures. This scene is one Michiganders have seen so many times before, but haven’t really seen until seeing it here in this photo.”

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“Stone Gardens" by Lawrence Olsen

PROMISING ARTIST, VIDEO/ANIMATION

Student: Lawrence Olsen

Entry: “Stone Gardens,” digital video

View: Starts at 58:23 mark of digital video entry compilation

Judge’s comment: “This video is very moving and very quiet - calming. Every still image and action shot was of high quality. The sequencing and pacing were strong.”

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“Gerry" by Bernadette Remski

PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARD

Student: Bernadette Remski

Entry: “Gerry,” graphite drawing

Class: ART 111: Basic Drawing I

Instructor: Heidi Haire

Selected by: WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca

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“Self-Portrait" by Ilana S. Londry

DEAN’S CHOICE AWARD

Student: Ilana S. Londry

Entry: “Self-Portrait,” graphite drawing

Class: ART 111: Basic Drawing I

Instructor: Traci Shipley

Selected by: WCC Dean of Humanities, Social & Behavioral Scences Scott Britten

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“Melissa" by Kari Klavon

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Student: Kari Klavon

Entry: “Melissa,” digital photo

Class: PHO 230: Portfolio Projects

Instructor: Don Werthmann

Selected by: Popular vote

 

Tags: Awards, Digital Media Arts, Fine Arts, Student Art Show, Student Awards, Student Success, WCC Student Art Show

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