Michael Lagon Featured in 18th Annual Valdosta State University Juried Student Art Competition

2016 Apr 26

Michael Lagon was one of 37 students whose artwork was accepted to the 18th annual Juried Student Art Competition sponsored by Valdosta State University's Department of Art. The Decatur, Georgia, resident's artwork - "Bernini's Fallacy," a 4.5-inch by 5-inch by 12-inch alabaster on cedar base; "They Pee Weird," a 16-inch by 13.5-inch pen and ink drawing; and "Forms of Deterrence," a 16-inch by 13.5-inch pen and ink drawing - was recently featured in an exhibit at the on-campus Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery.

A university-wide invitation to participate in the Juried Student Art Competition was issued earlier this year to all currently enrolled VSU students. Regardless of their major area of study, students were encouraged to share their artistic talents by submitting a maximum of four two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional works, including graphic design, illustration, interior design, animation, drawing, printmaking, painting, aqueous media, jewelry, photography, ceramics, small metals, sculpture, and mixed media.

Julie Bowland, Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery director and professor of art, said that 56 students submitted more than 160 works of art for the Juried Student Art Competition.

Elizabeth Turk, a professor of photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus, reviewed the submissions and selected 49 pieces created by 37 students to be featured in the exhibition, which ran March 21 through April 8, and to compete for first-place, second-place, third-place, fourth-place, and merit awards. (Visit http://valdosta.meritpages.com to learn more about the winners.)

"In selecting the works for this year's competition I was struck not only by the diversity of media and the creative and technical skills of the students but also by the ideas that were being addressed through the work," she shared. "The voices of the young artists and designers in this exhibition (were) clearly speaking 'out loud' as they (dealt) with everything from contemporary design challenges to the difficult and complex social issues emerging in our time."

About Valdosta State University:

Valdosta State University is a comprehensive university characterized by outstanding instruction, a wide range of student life opportunities, and a close connection to the community. Established in 1906, the institution's mission is to prepare students to meet global opportunities and challenges through excellence in teaching and learning; to expand the boundaries of current knowledge and explore the practical applications of that knowledge through excellence in scholarship and creative endeavors; and to promote the economic, cultural, and educational progress of the community and region through excellence in service outreach.

Valdosta State University seeks to accomplish this mission in a dynamic, student-centered learning environment marked by a respect for diverse abilities, backgrounds, and contributions by all members of the university community.

On the Web:

http://www.valdosta.edu/welcome.php

https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/arts/welcome.php