Junior Putnam wins Best in Show Award at exhibit

Several art students racked up multiple moments of recognition for their works entered in the 15th Annual ULM Juried Art Exhibition at the Bry Art Gallery on April 2.
Durant Thompson, the University of Mississippi’s associate professor of sculpture, juried the exhibition.
Dara Engler, ULM assistant professor of art, said Thompson left comments to share with the artists. According to Engler, Thompson said he was impressed, and he applauded the professionalism and craftsmanship of the ULM students.
When judging students’ work, Thompson said, “My first evaluation is how [the work] strikes me in the raw. The piece should tell me all I need to know about it when I walk up to it,” Thompson said. “I’m a stickler for craftsmanship.”
Thompson found the elements he looked for, especially in junior artist Betsy Putnam’s work entitled “Objects to memory series.” Putnam’s piece was named Best in Show.
Putnam said her piece was about how objects can make good or bad memories. In her work, six different stories were represented in the series.
“I’m really excited to get this award,” said Putnam, a West Monroe native. “I was so surprised.”
Gretchen Dean, ULM community supporter, has sponsored the Best in Show award for a number of years, and said she remembers when the honor began.
“I’m delighted to be able to offer the award,” Dean said. “Every year when I come, I never think I will find anything as fine as I saw the last year. But, the students and the caliber of their work are tremendous. I think it’s something the University and community should be proud of.”
Other awards were given to the artists, as well.
Prestigious recognition goes to the students who earned the Administrator’s Awards. The chosen artists surrender their work year to an administrator’s office for a full year. President Nick Bruno chose three pieces to decorate his office with: an untitled piece by Rachel Barnes, “Color Vein” by Lane Davis and “Hidden Sleep” by Putnam.
Spectators who attended the exhibition participated in the voting process, too. They voted senior Srdjan Marjanovic’s painting entitled “The One” for the People’s Choice Award.