Ouachita Stories

Joy Estes, a freshman studio art major from Morrilton, Ark., won Ouachita Baptist University’s 2017 Student Juried Art Exhibit, which was sponsored by the OBU Art Club. The exhibit was on display April 17-26 in Ouachita’s Hammons Gallery.

Estes won first place with her graphite piece titled “Laughter Is Good Medicine.”

“It is an honor to have won, and I feel blessed that God has given me the gift to draw,” Estes said. “I decided to draw this piece because I was drawn to the expressive detail of the old man. His eyes just drew me in and made me want to put his happiness on paper.”

Lesley Howard, a sophomore art and psychology double major from Lavon, Texas, won second place with her white charcoal and colored pencil piece titled “Almost Eggspert.” Her art is part of a 12-piece series that highlights the importance of God-given internal beauty over temporal external beauty. Howard used no color on the external features, but only colored the eyes because “they are commonly referred to as a window to the soul,” she said.

“I got into art because my mom was a great artist. I wanted to be like her, so I took art classes. The more I drew, the more I found myself enjoying life more – which encouraged me to keep pursuing art,” Howard said. “I did not expect to place at all, so I was very surprised and honored to receive second place.”

Faith Twyford, a sophomore graphic design major from Hot Springs, Ark., won third place with her digital artwork titled “Pixels.”

“When I heard I got third place, I was really excited. It makes me feel more confident in my work and what I do,” Twyford said. “It’s a cool experience to have my work displayed.”

Hamilton Johnson, a senior physics and computer science double major from Little Rock, Ark., and Chad Satchell, a junior graphic design major from Frisco, Texas, received honorable mentions.

The Student Juried Art Exhibit showcases pieces that were submitted by Ouachita students of any major. Some of this year’s art includes photographs, graphic design, watercolors and collages. Each year, a professional artist judges the pieces and decides what will be featured in the final show and selects first, second and third place winners. The winners also received monetary awards.

“The exhibit showcases student art for other students, faculty and people in the community,” said Art Club President Lexie Hoggard, a sophomore graphic design and mass communication major from Roland, Ark. “The coolest thing is seeing art from people you didn’t know were talented in art. Biology, psychology, elementary education and other majors submit art to this exhibit.”

Aaron Calvert, professor of art at Henderson State University and director of HSU’s Russell Fine Arts Gallery, was this year’s juror. Calvert earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in crafts from Kent State University and his Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Calvert has received numerous recognitions and his work is included in permanent collections as far away as Jingdezhen, China.

Other students with work chosen to be included in the exhibit include:

• Kesley Brown, a junior biomedical sciences major from Springdale, Ark.

• Sarah Engebrecht, a junior graphic design major from Morrilton, Ark.

• Emily Flowers, a senior graphic design and mass communications double major from Bismarck, Ark.

• Carrie Hill, a sophomore graphic design major from Benton, Ark.

• Lexie Hoggard, a sophomore graphic design and mass communications double major from Roland, Ark.

• Tyson Hume, a junior graphic design major from White Hall, Ark.

• Bethany Lagen, a sophomore graphic design major from Cordova, Tenn.

• Abby Leal, a sophomore graphic design major from Hot Springs, Ark.

• Zhianxu (Sho) Lu, a senior music and studio art double major from Shaoxing, China.

• Audrey Nisbet, a senior graphic design major from Arkadelphia, Ark.

• Sara Rothwell, a sophomore graphic design major from New Boston, Texas.

For more information, contact the School of Fine Arts at (870) 245-5129.