On Nov. 10 students, faculty, and families gathered in the Founders Gallery for the 2005 Juried Student Art Show. Some of Guilford’s most talented artists displayed their work. Works were judged in categories ranging from sculpture to photography. “I am always very much in awe of the Guilford students’ art. There is a wonderful amount of talent and thought behind the artwork each year, and 2005 is no different,” said senior and exhibitor Julia Hood.

Julia won two awards twice for her work: for an acrylic on paper piece, “Redressing,” and for a wood-fired stoneware vase entitled “Vase.”

The colors she used for “Redressing” catch the eye immediately. The picture becomes more intriguing the closer you stand to the picture, so captivating is its vibrancy.

“Part of my painting of the dress was an image that came to me one day during silent [Quaker] worship. I knew that I wanted to use it and, through combining several other ideas, I ended up with the painting,” said Hood.

Hood’s wood-fired vase was not your everyday flower vase. From the front, it looks like an ordinary vase, but when viewed from overhead, the clay curves around itself, creating a fluid S shape.

Kate Talbot won a blue ribbon for a black-and-white photograph showing a woman’s stomach exposed from under a white sheet. Talbot’s detailed study of the drapery, reminiscent of Victorian photographs, is remarkable.

Natalie Sept’s print “Chinook with Birds” had people staring at it all night. The print, made from a woodcut, showed an incredible representation of the Canadian wind.

Another popular piece was Kris Hohn’s wooden sculpture, “The River.”

“I have been in awe of Hohn’s wooden sculpture ever since I saw her carving it last semester. The carving is so fluid it almost belies the material. She really mastered the art of woodcarving and came up with a beautiful design,” said Hood.

Two artists were awarded first-place honors for their paintings. Alex Quinn received a blue ribbon for her piece “Orange Glass,” and Natalie Sept was awarded one for the piece “Ultimate.”

“The most exciting circumstances of the prize awards for me was that Alex and Natalie tied in Painting for first place,” said Adele Wayman, Hege Professor of Art. “Painting is my area, and both of them have been my students since they were first-year students. Both of their paintings are outstanding examples of realism.”

Quinn’s oil painting “Orange Glass” depicts a woman holding a piece of glass that casts an orange shadow onto a white house in the background. The interplay between light and shadow in the painting is remarkable.

Sept’s “Ultimate” portrays Ultimate players jumping to catch a disc.

“Right now I am working on cultivating my technical skill in hopes that pieces imbued with more meaning can easily resonate with the viewer. I am attempting to convey a conversation between the birds in the sky and the players below: no matter how hard we try, we can never reach the heights of the birds,” said Sept.

Alison Tynes political sculpture “Fuel for Thought” amused many visitors to the exhibit. The piece consists of five separate clay parts. The first sculpture is a bust of President George W. Bush; each separate part depicts him metamorphosing into a finely sculpted gas pump.

The final ribbon awarded went to Kay Kelley for the graphite and charcoal on paper drawing entitled “Nude Asleep,” an incredibly detailed figure study. Each line is significant, creating layers of meaning.

“The drawings in the show were among the strongest I’ve seen at Guilford, both in their composition and resolution. Kay Kelley shows a lot of potential and I thoroughly enjoyed her Nude Asleep drawing. Her sense of shadow is remarkable,” said Sept.

Those pieces that did not receive awards still received many compliments.

“This show was more selective than usual – a conscious decision by art faculty – and we rejected a number of excellent pieces, only choosing to show the best ones,” said Wayman.

Colin Bussiere-Nichols’ intense piece “God Bears the Weight of Our” inspired awe in visitors. The partially burned oil on wood design is a recreation of the crucifixion of Jesus. Bussiere-Nichols replaced the traditional cross with a sculpted tree.

Julia Harman contributed a remarkable piece called Autumn Eye. The image of a woman’s face partially hidden by an autumn leaf not only exhibits Harman’s amazing painting ability, but also her natural talent to effectively use color and shadows. There is so much to been seen in this painting that you cannot absorb all of the detail in one viewing.

“I thought the show was a terrific success,” said Wayman.