Art awards given at annual student art exhibit

Art students from Concordia put their creations on display at the annual Student Art Exhibit. The show opened April 17 in the Marxhausen Gallery of Art.

As part of the event, Concordia’s art department also announced awards and yearly scholarship recipients at the opening reception for the exhibition.

Rachel Ahlers, junior, Pierce, Neb., was presented with the Best of Show Award. This is the first year for this award. The judges recognized Ahlers for her exceptional creativity and the breadth of work she presented at the exhibit.

“It’s exciting,” said Ahlers. “I’m not used to having people come up and congratulate me so much. I’m really flattered to receive the award, and I am proud of it.”

Junior Anna Meyer, Seward, Neb., won this year’s Brommer Award. One of the most prestigious honors announced at the show, the award is given to an art major who is a junior and exhibits artistic skills and Christian ideals.

This year’s Wayne and Wanda Lillich Endowment winners were senior Kaylie Mellema, Axtell, Neb., and junior Hannah Woollen, Wilcox, Neb. This award is given to students in the field of graphic design who exemplify professionalism within their discipline, a high attention to craft and sophistication toward their design or illustration work.

Hayley Koeritz, junior, Northrop, Minn., was named the winner of the Leo Sieck Endowment, given to a student in the top ten percent of his or her class who shows promise and academic potential as an artist and scholar.  

The winners of the Class of 1933 Endowment, awarded to first year art students who are committed to the Lutheran teaching ministry and service to the church at large through their art and practice, were freshmen Nicole Hill, Gladstone, Mo., and Rachel Smith, Milwaukee, Wis.

Eleven students were selected to receive the Marxhausen Endowment Award this year. The honor identifies students of exceptional ability from across the majors of art education, graphic design, studio art and liturgical art who are represented in this exhibition.

            Adam Birt, senior, Longmont, Colo.

            Kelli Claassen, junior, Waverly, Neb.

            Kristen Easler, senior, Fredericksburg, Va.

            Sara Fredrickson, junior, Omaha, Neb.

            Micah Hollenbeck, sophomore, Wheat Ridge, Colo.

            Nicholas Jones, sophomore, Omaha, Neb.

            Hayley Koeritz, junior, Northrop, Minn.

            Alyssa McAfee, freshman, Danebrog, Neb.

            Katrina Schulteis, junior, Greenfield, Iowa

            Alina Swoboda, junior, Genoa, Neb.

            Jessica Wagner, freshman, Ballwin, Mo.

The Student Art Exhibit is open to the public through Tuesday, May 3. The Marxhausen Gallery is the on-campus exhibition space for Concordia and hosts a variety of artists’ exhibitions each year. It is located in Jesse Hall and is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1-4 p.m.