Story by Chris Mortenson

Every March there is a much-anticipated gathering in the New Mexico State University Art Department – the annual Student Art Show that takes place in the school’s art gallery.  

The show is a juried art show, which means that students work goes through a series of judges before it is accepted in the show.  Along with the annual gallery opening, the first annual Salon De Refuses made its debut.  This showing took place in the hallway outside the main gallery and consisted of student’s work that didn’t make it into the show.

Variety of work and awards

This year’s show consisted of 60 pieces that were created by both the undergraduate and graduate students in the art department. Not only is the student show a gathering of friends and colleagues, it is also a big event for the art students at NMSU.  The student show is often the first place that students get to exhibit their work in an actual gallery setting and there are also awards.

This year, 25 awards were given out to students and were donated by different groups and companies around Las Cruces. Some of the awards given out ranged from free meals, movie tickets, to cash awards that reached up to $500. Six fortunate students also took home scholarships for their artwork this year.  

Overall, the student show was a huge success.  The student show will run in the art gallery in D.W. Williams on University Avenue until March 31st.