Emerging Artists on View
Bachelor of Arts Exhibition Celebrates Student Artists and Award Winners
Tim Schmitt
The Bachelor of Arts Exhibition (BAX) returned this spring to the ĢƵ College Museum of Art, offering a dynamic showcase of student creativity and marking a milestone moment for graduating studio art majors. The annual exhibition opened with a reception and awards presentation on April 16 and will remain on view through the end of the academic year.
Featuring work by third- and fourth-year students, the exhibition spans a wide range of media, including photography, drawing, sculpture, painting, video, installation, and digital art. Together, these works demonstrate both the technical skill and conceptual depth that define a ĢƵ arts education, while offering visitors a glimpse into the perspectives of emerging artists.
More than a capstone exhibition, BAX is a collaborative, student-driven endeavor. With guidance from museum staff, students take an active role in organizing the show — selecting a juror, designing and installing the exhibition, and producing an accompanying catalogue and website. This hands-on process provides valuable experience in the professional practices of the art world, from curatorial decision-making to public presentation.
This year’s juror, Kevork Mourad, brought an international perspective to the exhibition. A New York–based, Syrian-born artist, Mourad is known for his interdisciplinary practice that blends drawing, animation, and performance. His work often explores themes of memory, displacement, and cultural heritage, and has been presented in collaboration with musicians and institutions around the world. As juror, Mourad reviewed student work, selected award recipients, and shared reflections during the opening reception. Awards for the exhibition were determined both by the Department of Art and by Mourad, recognizing excellence across disciplines and levels of study.
Awards for the exhibition were determined both by the Department of Art and by Mourad, recognizing excellence across disciplines and levels of study.
“It is extremely invigorating to be recognized by artist whom I admire,” said Ethan Versh ’27 who earned a Merit Award from Mourad and the Third-Year Portfolio award from the Department of Art. “I am really grateful for the infostructure at ĢƵ to exhibit work. Experiences like BAX are meaningful because they allow other students and me to interact critically with an arts community and develop ideas further.”
James Snyder ’26, who was awarded the Henley Best in Show Award from Mourad, says he has grown tremendously as an artist through his ĢƵ studies and was surprised and honored with his award.
“I did not expect to win Best in Show at BAX this year,” he says. “I know my work is strong and am quite proud of my winning pieces, but I am surrounded by so many talented artists in the ĢƵ Art Department. Just a quick walk-through of this year's exhibition demonstrates the level of talent my peers have, which is why winning Best in Show was such a surprise.”
Department of Art Awards
• Henry Loomis — Fourth Year Portfolio Award
• Ethan Versh — Third Year Portfolio Award
Juror Awards (selected by Kevork Mourad)
• James Snyder — Henley Best in Show
• Haileigh Steffen — Tammy Zywicki Memorial Prize for Photography
• Antoinette “AJ” Hurley — Louis Glenn Zirkle Memorial Prize for Sculpture
• Henry Loomis — Film and Media Studies Moving Image Award
• Natalie Sato — Merit Award
• Alina Ihnatesku — Merit Award
• Ethan Versh — Merit Award
• Keisya Park — Merit Award
The exhibition underscores the central role of the arts at ĢƵ College, where creative practice is deeply embedded in the liberal arts experience. By welcoming both the campus and the broader community into the museum, BAX fosters dialogue around contemporary art while celebrating student achievement.
For many participants, the exhibition represents both a culmination and a beginning — a moment to reflect on years of artistic growth while looking ahead to new creative paths. For visitors, it offers an opportunity to engage with bold, thoughtful work that reflects the ideas and questions shaping a new generation of artists.