Four Concordia student artists received awards at the 2009 Nebraska Independent College Foundation/O'Keefe Elevator Company Art Show on Wednesday, April 7, at the O'Keefe Elevator Gallery in Omaha. The total number of awards for Concordia was the highest among all 11 member schools of the NICF.
Senior Aaron Schimm of Bay City, Mich., earned best of show for his piece. A collage titled "Red Sulfur" garnered second place for Rachel Dermody, a senior from Parnell, Iowa. Justin Groth and Heidi Bartlett were awarded second and third place, respectively, in the three dimensional category. Groth's "Protect" was done in earthenware, and Bartlet used wood, acrylic paint and joint compound to create "Origin." Each award also included a cash prize donated by the O'Keefe Elevator Company.
"I am very proud of our studio and design students who participated in this year's NICF exhibition," said Michael Strand, art department chairman. "We continue to fare very well at regional competitions, and this is a great tribute to the fantastic students we have at Concordia. The art faculty has been working at strengthening the studio art program, and this year's competition provides some positive, outside affirmation that we are on the right track in that area."
Fifteen Concordia artists are showing pieces in the NICF exhibit. The art will remain on display at the O'Keefe Elevator Gallery during the month of April. The gallery is located at 1402 Jones Street in Omaha and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Concordia student artists in the exhibit:
Amalia Hillman, senior, San Jose, Calif.
Adam Birt, sophomore, Longmonst, Colo.
Amber Konz, sophomore, Monroe, Neb.
Rachel Dermody, junior, Parnell, Iowa
Heidi Bartlett, senior, Lincoln, Neb.
Lauren Onions, junior, Kansas City, Kan.
Samantha Butler, junior, Seward, Neb.
Valerie Schick, sophomore, Meadow Grove, Neb.
Aaron Schimm, senior, Bay City, Mich.
Natalie Swanda, senior, Omaha, Neb.
Rachel Deeter, senior, Seward, Neb.
Nora Rolf, senior, Seward, Neb.
Justin Groth, junior, Seward, Neb.
Noah Enke, senior, Bunker Hill, Ill.
Heather Hunt, senior, Cincinnati, Ohio