From paintings to printmaking, students’ works of art brought color and creativity to the walls of the Tarble Arts Center for the 27th Annual Undergraduate All-Student Art Show.

Out of 335 entries, 97 pieces were chosen for display at the show on Sunday. Artwork categories included ceramics, painting, printmaking, fibers, electronic media, 3-D design, sculpture, graphic design and metals.

Along with over $10,000 presented in awards, students in the art show also gained an experience that they could add to their resume. First time participant Chelsea Ranck submitted her untitled cut paper piece to the show. The freshman art education major will use the experience to benefit her future.

“I think it’s really cool,” Ranck said. “I think it’s something to put on my resume.”

After participating in the art show for the past three years, Jamie Kemp, a junior graphic design and 2-D studio major, said she has gained experience in explaining her art.

“I would definitely say that it’s taught me to speak about my art,” Kemp said.

Kemp’s piece titled, “Reflections” received the painting merit award.

Kemp’s other two pieces, “Feminism Series” and “The Glass Ceiling” showcased her interest in feminism.

Her piece, “The Glass Ceiling,” is a comment on how society pretends there is not a glass ceiling for women. The painting shows a series of glass panels on a building; most of the panels are blue, while few at the bottom of the building are pink, symbolizing women in the work place.

Like Kemp used her interest in feminism in her art, Caleb Branson used his interest in guitars for his computer-generated graphic, “Level 7.” The senior graphic design major had completed the piece for a class assignment.

“We had to do a project where we made a brochure for a fake company,” Branson said. “Since I play guitar, I chose to make the brochure on a guitar company.”

Another student, Colby Julian, a senior 2-D studio major with an emphasis in printmaking, channeled his feelings into his artwork that depicted birds and people in bird masks.

“Many people put on faces when they go through their days,” Julian said.

His pieces, “The Disappearing Act” and another untitled piece received merit awards, and “Hast du einen Vogel?” received an honorable mention.

Some students, like Hannah Brinson, did not expect their work to be honored. The sophomore 2-D studio major was surprised when she received the jewelry/metals merit award for “Watermelon Monsters,” a metal work inspired by robots.

“I’m really surprised, but I think it’s cool to have the opportunity,” Brinson said.

Michael Watts, the director of the Tarble Arts Center, said he believes students gain experience by taking part in the show.”Art is really a three part process: conception, execution and presentation,” Watts said.

“From my perspective, I consider this to be a pre-professional experience.”

Student pieces were judged by a panel made up of Paula Katz, director and curator of Herron Galleries at the Indiana University-Purdue University; Althea Murphy-Price, an assistant professor at the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts; and Laura Beard, assistant professor of the College of Visual Art and Design at the University of North Texas.

The 2010 Undergraduate All-Student Art Show will be displayed until March 28 in the Tarble Arts Center.

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or at shbohne@eiu.edu.