Reporter’s Notebook: TCC’s 2024 Student Art Exhibition Was a Discovery of New Names in Art (Juror’s Choice)
The annual student art exhibition presented unexpected art produced by Tulsa Community College (TCC) students. In this essay, Tatyana Nyborg, TCC Connection editor, highlights the jurors ‘choices for the most remarkable student artworks displayed at the exhibit this year.
Two artists from Seattle judged the TCC student artworks in 2024. The judges were Julie Alpert, who has a degree in painting and drawing, and Andy Arkley whose art has been presented at various art exhibitions in the United States. The jurors selected the following artworks for the annual art exhibition:
“Best in Show” award was given to Kaitlyn Peterson for the wall sculpture “Differences” made from plywood, floral wire, and card stock. The artist says in her statement: “This installation includes a series of five groups of hands holding different bouquets. Every bouquet is sized and arranged differently. This piece represents how we compare ourselves to each other in every capacity, whether it be abilities, personalities, relationships, goals, etc.” The dimensions of the sculptured group are 40” x 50” x 3”. (Photo by Tatyana Nyborg)
Em Thomas created the “I Crocheted It” sculpture from acrylic yarn, dyed muslin, fiber fill, and wood. The sculpture received the second-place title in the show. The sculptured item is a sweater that was crocheted. Its sleeve is enlarged, probably, five times, and made from a fabric filled with fiber. The sleeve intervenes with two wooden knitting needles. Thomas tried to convey the idea of freedom and breaking stereotypes, whether it would be to knit or crochet a sweater or make other personal choices. The sculpture is 60″ x 84 “x 16”. (Photo by Tatyana Nyborg)
The winner in the third-place category was Samantha Minckler with her composition “Direction.” The wooden sculpture is a combination of multiple traffic signs painted with acrylic on wood. The idea of the artwork is a comparison of human life with roads, which have different signs leading people to various destinations. Overall, the installation covers a three-dimensional space of 21.25” x 20.50” x 10”. (Photo by Tatyana Nyborg)
