As part of their annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, The Art Gallery at HCC Central will have student-submitted artwork on display until the end of the semester. It’s a crowded exhibit with paintings, sculptures, photos and digital designs all fighting for space and attention.

The pieces represent a range of work from HCC art students of many different skill levels. The art was judged collectively, and of the dozens, three pieces were chosen by jurors as this year’s best works.

First place was awarded to Faith D Ishizuka, an Art Metals I student who used metal, resin and acrylic to create a piece titled “#12”. In second place, Printmaking III student Deborah Clise for her serigraph print titled Illegitimi Non Carborundum. Third place went to Photography I student Karen Guzman for her silver gelatin print “Now Tell Me Who?”.

Since there were over 50 pieces in the exhibit, the judges granted a number of honorable mentions, at least one to each arts category, including 1 faculty award and 2 juror awards. A few stand out pieces which went un-awarded are “Vanishing Point” by Design II student Marcela Gonzalez, “I Wish You Were Here” by Dulce Malice a Photography I student, and the folkish “Cactus #2” by Printmaking I student Danielle Summer Light.

Don’t rely on a list of award winners to judge who is the best artist to judge who is the best artist. To truly enjoy art you have to spend some time in the gallery, form your own opinions and find a favorite piece of your own.

One of my personal favorites is “Sobriety” by Arts Metals I student Karen Schottie, it’s a 2 1/2 inch tall shining triangular case made of copper and brass, lying beside it are 4 brass sobriety coins with the words unity, service and recovery engraved on each. This simple piece is touching, I understand the troubles of addiction and recognize the significance these objects may hold for the artist.

Another piece would fit well in a contemporary living space, “Part of the Process” by Joanna Hernandez, a Sculpture I student. It’s rope and wire frame model of the human rib cage with a thick burgundy heart suspended in the center. The sculpture is mounted on a metal stand, bringing it to eye level. Looking at this I am reminded of how fragile the human body is, and how we overlook our physical and emotional health for the sake of staying busy.

The exhibition as a whole is an impressive collection of students work, most of them have probably not had their art on public display before.

It’s exciting that the college has provided this space, its an introduction to the world of art galleries, and this opportunity to display is just a taste of what lies ahead for the students who stick to their craft and continue to develop their work.