TERRE HAUTE, IN.- After a year of hard work, area students will have an opportunity to show off some of their talents at the 38th Annual Student Art Exhibition. The show is a cherished tradition for the students, teachers, and museum staff. “The Annual Student Exhibition is a time to recognize and award the talents of our community’s youth,” explains Swope Curator, Nathan Richie. “Students have learned that creating art, while can be fun, is also hard work.”

The process of choosing artworks for the exhibit began in March when guest judge Isabel Halm, Executive Director of the North Shore Art League in Winnetka, Illinois, reviewed hundreds of paintings, sculptures, textiles, drawings and more. While works by elementary and middle school students were pre-selected by art teachers from each school, Halm selected works in the high school portion of the exhibit. Awards were given to the top works from each media. Award recipients will receive a certificate of participation and a trophy recognizing their success at a special reception this Saturday. This year’s Best in Show award went to Michelle Jackson of South Vigo High School for her painting titled “Serenity.”. “The Student Show is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits each year. It is truly heartening to see such an outpouring of support from the community for these young artists,” said David Vollmer, Museum Director.

The 38th Annual Student Art Exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, April 16th and will run until May 15th. On Saturday, April 16th, the Swope Art Museum will host a free public reception and awards ceremony for the students and their families. The reception runs from 1:00-3:00pm with awards ceremony at 2:00 pm.

The Swope Art Museum is located at 25 S. Seventh Street in Terre Haute at the corner of Ohio Street. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5. Admission to the Swope is free. For more information, call (812) 238-1676 or online at www.swope.org.