DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College’s annual juried student art exhibition closed April 24 with an awards ceremony in the Art Gallery of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus. Painting I student Evan Robison of Niles won David Mathews’ President’s Choice and the $500 Best of Show scholarship.

“I am always impressed by the high quality of work our students produce,” President Mathews said. “It is difficult to choose between an outstanding piece of ceramics, photograph, digital image, drawing or painting. The painting that I selected for the President’s Choice award was truly exceptional. What makes it even more noteworthy is it was produced in Painting I class. I can’t wait to see future works from this artist.”

Visual and Performing Arts Chairman Marc Dombrosky introduced the three jurors from Fred L. Mathews Library — Director of Library Services Colleen Welsch, Coordinator of Library Services Jennifer Zimmer and Carole A. Tate Teaching and Learning Center Coordinator Keigh-Cee Bell. Vice President of Instruction Dr. David Fleming and Dean of Arts and Sciences Dr. Keith Howell then presented the Judges’ Merit Awards.

Art 100 Intro to Digital Art: Faith White, Nathan Johnson.

Art 101 Two-Dimensional Design: Anushka Ganu.

Art 102 Drawing I: Courtney VanBelle.

Art 103 Ceramics I: Faith White, Kailee McCain.

Art 104 Ceramics II: Jasmine Brady, Taylor Martinez.

Art 105 Photographic Design: Melissa Raab.

Art 120 Three-Dimensional Design: AnnaJane Musser, Maya Ankenbruck, and Mallory Gray, Ashley Glumm and Marshall Haines, the collaborative team which created meat pies for “Sweeney Todd.” Other props made for the spring musical were arrayed around the rear gallery.

Art 200 Creative Process: Gaily Peet, Jasmine Brady.

Art 211 Painting I: Evan Robison, Faith White, Emma Gray.

Art 213 Typography: Leo Rosales.

Art 219 Graphic Design I: McKenzie Fletcher, Sam Shunkwiler.

Art 225 Digital Photography: Anushka Ganu, Kristie Bussler.

Art 265 Portfolio Production: Julia Tyson.

Art 299 Directed Study: Eric Thiele.

Art Gallery Staff Members of the Year: Faith White, Hannah Quinones.

Visual and Performing Arts Award of Innovation: Maya Ankenbruck.

Madeline Collins, graduating in visual arts, is transferring into Ferris State University’s business program with a marketing focus. She presented her second Madeline Collins Award for improvement to Shiann Hale-Henry.

Fleming represented the whimsical Pfliger Foundation for the Arts in awarding $49.95 and a new toaster to Faith White. Inspired by TV quiz show prizes, the late instructor Terry Pfliger explained, “It is a serious appreciation of the student’s work with a personal touch that edges beyond a judge’s considerations and becomes, ‘The art was selected because it would look good on our wall.’”

Dombrosky announced that a Fall 2019 show will feature works by Bill Rothwell, who is retiring this May after 20 years as an SMC graphic design instructor.