The Ohio State Urban Arts Space in downtown Columbus has opened the “2010 Arts Scholars Juried Exhibition.”
The exhibition features artwork from students enrolled in the Arts Scholars program at OSU. All of the artwork on display was chosen through a daunting selection process that required students to submit their work to a panel of judges and lobby for their inclusion in the exhibit.
As part of the selection process, students took part in workshops about displaying their art, organized the reception for the exhibit and promoted the display. The reception for the exhibit was held on Feb. 26 as part of a bigger display put on by the OSU Urban Arts Space.
The works on display range from traditional paintings to abstract designs or objects. Artwork from the exhibit will be sold when the display closes.
“It’s really good to know that you can go somewhere with this,” said Emily Menter, a third-year in the Arts Scholars program. “I like seeing people look at my work and react to it.”
For the exhibit, Menter displayed photographs she took while studying in Italy. She is hoping to earn a master’s degree in art education.
The Arts Scholars program is an exclusive group of students who excel at various disciplines of art such as dance, art history and music.
Students who apply to the four-year program must be in the top 20 percent of their high school class and possess exceptionally high ACT or SAT scores.
“The scholars program is about interests in art,” said Shauntae Yankasky, a graduate of the Arts Scholars program.
“It’s an opportunity and outlet for passionate artists interested in a section of art, even if they have a different major.”
Aside from attending lectures and art workshops, students in the program also involve themselves with community outreach programs to help educate people about the arts. These activities include volunteering in after-school arts programs at public schools and working with the Greater Columbus Arts Council to help at-risk children.
Students in the program must maintain a strong grade point average in addition to their extracurricular activities. Even with the intense workload and high expectations, the success of the students is rarely hindered.
“For me, being in the Arts Scholars program has never been a struggle,” Menter said. “It can be stressful at times, but all of the students in the program are really smart and know how to balance their work.”
The OSU Urban Arts Space is located at 50 W. Town St. and features several artistic displays in addition to the Juried Exhibition, which will remain on display until June 12.
