A plexiglass painting of a solemn women with leopard spots embedded in her skin titled “Strength” was the stand-out, first-place piece in the Foster Tanner student art competition.
Foster Tanner held a graduating senior art show featuring Moloch Richardson and its fourth annual student art competition and exhibition Friday. The event showcased a student art competition on the upper level of the gallery with a graduating fine art’s student exhibit on the lower level.
“This is the IMAX for artists. You have to come see this,” said Richardson, one of the featured senior artists in the exhibition. “If you don’t see it, you lose the experience.”
The student art competition allowed students from Tallahassee to display their artwork and for winners to receive a cash prize. Aja Roache, Foster Tanner’s Gallery Coordinator and visiting professor, said participating provides an opportunity for students to gain feedback on their work while gaining experience for career advancement.
“It gives (the artists) an opportunity to present their work and hear what people have to say,” Roache said. “Rejection should always be a motivation. Even participating, the fact (students) enter shows like this is a good career builder.”
Amber Hiler, a Gainesville native and fourth-year fine arts student, was awarded first place for “Strength.” Although Hiler was excited about the cash prize, she was more excited about the benefits toward her career.
“I think it’s beneficial because I can put it on my resume,” Hiller said. “A lot of things happened here at FAMU that I can put on my resume. I’m glad I came here.”
Britt Lyle, a graphic design student from Orlando, received honorable mention for his work, “Death by Mass Consumption.” He feels the greatest benefit of the competition is publicity for the artists.
“It gets us known. Its shows where we’re going with our vision showing the community,” Lyle said. “It’s more to art than just pretty pictures.”
Richardson has an exhibit chronicling his artwork throughout his career at FAMU. Richardson, 28, from Miami, integrated his art style of mixed media fueled by intense and extreme emotion within various sculptures. Richardson said the displayed artwork is representative of trials and experiences through his life.
“(Art) provided me a way to get away from pain,” Richardson said. “I can focus it, harness it, or manifest it into something that can actually be seen so I can get the pain out.”
Hiler was awarded $150 for first place, Maurice Shipman $75 for second place and $50 for Natalie Sneed, who placed third. Honorable mention awards of $25 gift cards to Utrecht Art Supplies were given to Britt Lyle, Cory Williams and Wildford Blaise.
The gallery will be open until April 30. Art will be on display for public view Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on upcoming events, contact Aja Roache at 599-8755 or aja.roache@famu.edu.