By Abigail Blankenship

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Jill Parsons was named winner of the 2022 Student Juried Art Show sponsored by the Art Club at Ouachita Baptist University. An exhibit featuring works created by students and entered in the juried competition is on display in the Hammons Art Gallery in Mabee Fine Arts Center on Ouachita’s campus. The exhibit is free and open to the public through Oct. 8.

Parsons is a junior graphic design and communications & media/strategic communications double major from Celina, Texas. She earned first-place honors in the competition for her ceramics piece “Hercules and Hydra,” which features an octopus encompassing a coil pot, as well as Greek-inspired etchings that include Hercules and Hydra. 

“I really didn’t expect it,” Parsons said of her win, “but I don’t think anybody does.” 

Katye Leggett, a sophomore studio art and history double major from Camden, Ark., earned second place for her acrylic piece “Collision of Thought.” Maegan Royster, a sophomore art education major from Prosper, Texas, earned third place for her colored pencil drawing “Blooming.” 

More than 50 original works created by Ouachita students were submitted to the competition; only 20 were selected to be featured in the exhibit.  

“The show is a great way for students from all majors across the campus to showcase their creative talents,” said René Zimny, assistant professor of art and design  and Art Club sponsor. “It’s also always fun to see students' excitement when they get awards, but probably even more so when their piece gets selected to be part of the exhibit.” 

For more information about the Student Juried Art Show or the Art Club, contact René Zimny at [email protected] or (870) 245-5564.