Experience the Talent of Student Artists at the 96th Student Art Show
The 96th Annual Student Art Show debuted in February 2024 at the Memorial Union. The installation that lives in the Main and Class of 1925 Galleries on the second floor shapes a space of creativity and expression amongst the UW–Madison campus community. An exhibit curated by Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Art Committee, brings together all sides of campus to represent the artistic student body.
“One of the biggest goals for the committee this year was to bring in a lot of students of all backgrounds and not just necessarily students with a certificate or major in art,” WUD Art Director Keely Flynn said. “We definitely followed through with that goal.”
The show includes a talented group of artists, all of which have been selected amongst a competitive applicant pool. This year’s juror was a member of the UW–Madison Art Department, Claire Kellesvig.
“I used my intuition to choose this work. It’s selected from the gut. It’s work that makes me think and feel,” Kellesvig said. “This is an extremely diverse group of work, both in concept and medium. I am moved by artwork that leaves us with more questions than answers, that transcends the walls of the gallery.”
The combination of Kellesvig’s vision and WUD Art Install ADs Danitza Rodriguez and Sheila Drefahl’s execution produced a powerful exhibition. Ultimately, each artist’s unique talent is authentically captured through their prospective mediums.
“The Gaze,” by Lucy Murdock, explores the relationship between the female gaze and bodily autonomy. Murdock was inspired by European posters she collected on her travels in summer 2023 and used acrylic on canvas to illustrate a cohesive yet intricate piece.
“Winning a spot in the [Wisconsin] Union’s permanent collection feels pretty huge,” Murdock expressed. “The fact that my art will live at this school well past my graduation is amazing.”
The Wisconsin Union Art Collection selects approximately three to six submissions each year to be a part of the permanent collection. The collection is around 2,000 pieces that are mostly created by Wisconsin artists and reflect the relevancy of campus life at the time.
I highly encourage you to visit the 96th Annual Student Art Show at Memorial Union to check out the creative depth and talent on the UW–Madison campus.
“I hope that the viewers of this show are able to slow down with these wonderful pieces and reenter the world with a little more curiosity,” Kellesvig concluded.
