23rd Annual Juried Student Exhibition

Susan Sampson, It's not a Quail

April 13 - May 5, 2007

Jurors' Statement

Creativity is one of the most difficult abilities to nurture and the faculty at Loyola Marymount University is deftly cultivating the rich talents the students possess. Across a variety of media, the students' imagination and technique delighted us as we winnowed the abundant entries down to the final exhibition. The selection process was difficult, and we could have filled the gallery many times over.

The chosen work ranges across themes both local and global, indicative of Loyola Marymount University's thoughtful, engaged student body. The work tackles both personal and political issues, showing the breadth of the students' concerns. The artists selected for the exhibition build on art's formal and conceptual foundations to create aesthetically engaging works.

The works in this show were made in classes ranging from introductory to advanced. In choosing the works in the exhibition, we valued expressions of creativity and independent thinking, as well as skills in execution, including unique compositions and inventive use of media. Regardless of technical level, each student is presented with the greatest opportunity available to an artist: the freedom to experiment, to risk failure, and to explore unfamiliar territory. We urge all the students to fully embrace this incredible moment in their lives and to continue to push against boundaries.

About the Jurors

Aimee Chang is the curator of contemporary art at the Orange County Museum of Art and Laura Kleger is an artist, a co-founder and curator of Public Holiday Projects, and a writer.

Award Winners

(From left to right)

Juror's 1st Prize

Susan Sampson
It's Not a Quail

Juror's 2nd Prize

Erik Benjamins
American Dream

Juror's 3rd Prize

Lauren Asato
The Exonerated

Director's Award of Distinction

Kristen Dikio
L.E. Font

Metal Society of Southern California

David Ishida
Gold Wave Ring

Jurors' Honorable Mentions

Patrick Griffin
Night Dream

Nathalie Sánchez
The Wound That Won't Heal

Francis Youn
My Baby