The MTSU Department of Art’s Todd Art Gallery (TAG) opened the spring semester Tuesday, Jan. 21st with an Artists Awards Reception for the first Shoebox: An International Sculpture Exhibition. Featuring working artists and academics from across the United States, Australia, and Europe, the exhibit is comprised of sculptural renderings that were required to fit in a shoebox of each artist’s choice. The resulting variety of sizes ranged from smaller size baby shoes to those larger boxes made for athletic shoes and boots. Additionally, the work was not confined to just the box size. Works that could be contained within a shoebox and assembled onsite were also permissible.
Michael Aurbach, Professor of Art in Sculpture and Drawing at Vanderbilt University served as juror. With numerous credentials including past president of the College Art Association (CAA) and coordinator of its mentoring program, Career Development Workshop, he holds a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) from Southern Methodist University. Aurbach is also a past recipient of the Southeastern College Art Conference Award for Outstanding Artistic Achievement and the Award for Outstanding Exhibition and Catalogue of Contemporary Materials.
Of the approximate 185 works submitted for consideration, 40 were selected for the onsite exhibit in Todd Art Gallery while another 38 were chosen for exhibit in a slideshow and to accompany the exhibit’s online presentation at MTSU.edu/art.
From the onsite selections nine works were chosen for award. Those receiving Honorable Mention include Dana Harper, Columbus, Ohio; Derek Chalfant, Elmira, N.Y.; Bruce Humphries, Menomonee Falls, Wis; Clifford Blanchard, Morristown, N.J.; and Ronald Koehler, Cleveland, Miss.
The work of Andrew Smith (Oxford, Miss.) was chosen for the 3rd place Award of Excellence. Stockholm, Sweden’s Traina Frank received the 2nd place Sterling Award, and Hanna Jurban, of Grimesland, N.C. received the 1st place Pearl Award. Best of Show, the Sapphire Award, went to the work entitled “Rural Route 1” by Randy Reid of Moroa, Ill.
Shoebox will remain on display through Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. All Todd Art Gallery exhibits, receptions and lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, directions or parking contact Eric V. Snyder at (615) 898-5653 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.
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Image Key:
Top: Bruce Humphries; Menomonee Falls, Wis.; Well Ain’t That A Kick In The Paints, found objects
Dana Harper; Columbus, Ohio; Nestle, plaster, resin, paint, sculpey, plastic lace
Hanna Jurban; Grimesland, N.C.; Moonrise, soapstone and bronze
