Indiana State University Honors Student Artists at Annual Juried Student Exhibition and Award Ceremony

Indiana State University hosted its Annual Juried Student Exhibition and Award Ceremony yesterday, honoring the creativity, technical achievement, and emerging voices of undergraduate and graduate student artists from across the University.

The annual exhibition celebrates student work across a wide spectrum of artistic media, techniques, and styles, offering the campus and community an opportunity to experience the depth and vitality of creative expression at Indiana State. Collectively, the selected works reflect artistic excellence while underscoring the importance of fostering the next generation of artists through rigorous academic and creative exploration.

This year’s juror, Robin Cooper, Manager for Curatorial Affairs at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, thoughtfully selected a compelling group of artworks that exemplify innovation, conceptual strength, and technical mastery.

The ceremony concluded with scholarship awards presented by University leadership, recognizing outstanding student achievements.

Award Recipients

Presented by Robin Cooper, Curator of Newfields Museum

• Best Undergraduate Award Scholarship: Grace Hughes, Ephemeral Presence
• Best Graduate Award Scholarship: Madison Rumbler, Pink Lemonade

Presented by Indiana State University President Mike Godard

• President’s Merit Award Scholarship: Audrey Fagg, Talrneanach
• President’s Merit Award Scholarship: Elly Holland, Fragile and Imperfect
• President’s Merit Award Scholarship: Haley Timcheck, Stillness
• President’s Merit Award Scholarship: Karen Yang, What We Leave Behind

Presented by Provost Brad Balch

• Provost’s Merit Award Scholarship: Aubrey Arms, What’s Blocking Your Path
• Provost’s Merit Award Scholarship: Jazmine Hines, Wave Form
• Provost’s Merit Award Scholarship: Elly Holland, The Different Sides of Her
• Provost’s Merit Award Scholarship: Mahal Wright, THE FOOL

Presented by College of Arts and Sciences Dean Melina Roberts

• Best in Show Award Scholarship: Shanine Delph, The Nature of a Table
• College of Arts and Sciences Award Scholarship: Aubrey Arms, From Her, Life
• College of Arts and Sciences Award Scholarship: Clare Dillon, 50 Fish for Flute and Electronic Soundscape
• College of Arts and Sciences Award Scholarship: Morgan Hughes, Rumple — Hand and Rod Puppet
• College of Arts and Sciences Award Scholarship: Robin Lane, Old Growth
• College of Arts and Sciences Award Scholarship: Sadhan Roy, The Celestial

In addition to the exhibition, the evening program featured a striking multi-media performance by Clare Dillon, an Indiana State University student and flutist whose work bridges music and visual art. During her performance, Dillon played the flute while projectors illuminated her white dress with moving images, creating an immersive experience that blended sound, light, and motion. The performance highlighted the interdisciplinary creativity on display and reflected the innovative approaches students are taking in their artistic practice.

“The Annual Juried Student Exhibition is a powerful reflection of the creativity, curiosity, and talent of our students,” said Indiana State University President Mike Godard. “These works demonstrate not only technical excellence, but the confidence our students are developing to explore ideas, take creative risks, and express their perspectives in meaningful ways.”

For more information about the exhibition and Indiana State University’s arts programs, visit indianastate.edu.