Artists from around Central Florida will be featured in UCF’s first open juried art exhibition, which will open with a reception Thursday, Jan. 26, at the UCF Art Gallery and run through Feb. 25.
Forty-seven artists were chosen to show a variety of original works, from plaster to painting to mixed media — even a bench made out of a tree.
“We wanted to reach out into the community to let them know that we acknowledge and care for them,” said Elise Frost, art gallery specialist. Works were submitted by 76 artists without an application fee, which is unusual for a juried exhibition.
“Our theme – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow – is very open to interpretation,” Frost said. “We wanted to be as open as possible.”
Included in the show are works submitted by UCF students “who certainly hold their own” against the art submitted by others from around Central Florida, she said.
In addition to ribbons for the top three pieces of artwork selected by a judge, there will also be a $500 Provost Award and a $250 Director Award.
The free, opening-night reception will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and will include food and beverages. Entertainment will be provided by musician Joseph Keebler and Gainesville’s Hemisphere Dance Company.
The exhibition will be open during the gallery’s regular hours Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Room 140 of the Visual Arts Building.