(Posted February 8, 2016)

The "Annual Student Exhibition" runs from Thursday, Feb. 18 through March 24 in the Juniata Museum of Art galleries.
The "Annual Student Exhibition" runs from Thursday, Feb. 18 through March 24 in the Juniata Museum of Art galleries.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College Museum of Art showcases the breadth and depth of Juniata's studio art programs in the "Annual Student Exhibition," which runs from Thursday, Feb. 18 through March 24 in the museum galleries.
"What I love about this exhibition is the range of challenges it represents," says Kathryn Blake, director of the museum. "It's an exhibition about learning -- learning techniques, learning expressive possibilities, learning how to make judgments and problem-solve both in the creation of artworks and in how to present them."

There is an opening reception at the museum from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 18. The reception and continuing exhibition is free and open to the public. Many of the student artists will be in attendance.

The exhibit gives students a chance to have classmates see their work in a museum setting. Just as importantly, the entire show is selected and installed by students who act as curators as part of the college's Museum Practicum course.
"I really appreciate being able to judge the pieces and determine a central theme for the show, and select the pieces which coincide with that theme," says Alex Matoushek, a senior from Scranton, Pa., who is enrolled in the practicum course. "Not only does the student show help represent the artists here at Juniata, but also the museum practicum students who work tirelessly to install the best exhibit possible, and present the pieces in a respectful and dignified way."

The exhibit includes paintings, drawing, photography, ceramics, 3-D design and digital media. The show displays artworks made during the 2016 spring semester and the 2015-2016 academic year. The works on display were created in art classes supervised by Monika Malewska, associate professor of art, Bethany Benson, associate professor of art, Patricia Howard, assistant professor of art, Robert Boryk, lecturer in art, and Kirsten Olson, lecturer in art.

"It's an exhibition about learning -- learning techniques, learning expressive possibilities, learning how to make judgments and problem-solve both in the creation of artworks and in how to present them."

Kathryn Blake, director of the Juniata College Museum of Art

All the pieces selected in the show were juried by Juniata's art professors and the final selections were made by students in the college's museum studies academic program.

In addition to Matoushek, the Juniata students involved in curating the show are: Emma Campbell, a senior and gallery manager from Cape May Court House, N.J.; Olivia Millunzi, a senior from Frederick, Md.; Alice Shannon, a senior from Landisville, Pa.; Kara Omer, a junior from Madison, Va.; Molly Weber, a junior from Kennett Square, Pa.; and Aaron Zack, a senior from Media, Pa.

The museum is located in historic Carnegie Hall at 17th and Moore streets in Huntingdon. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, please call the museum at (814) 641-3505, or visit the Juniata College Web site at http://www.juniata.edu/museum.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.