Colorado State University-Pueblo showcased its student’s talents in the 2009 Student Art Show. The show is running through April 4 in the fine arts gallery of the art and music building on campus.

The winners of the art show were announced at the opening reception Friday, March 13. Karin Larkin, a Sangre de Cristo assistant curator of visual arts, was the judge.

Caroline Peters, assistant professor of contemporary theory and art history, as well as the gallery director, said the contest has a different judge every year.

The judge is always looks for individual things, Peters said. Professional presentation and creativity are very important, according to the assistant professor.

So why doesn’t the department pick someone from CSU-Pueblo to judge the entries?

“We choose an outside judge because this way students can gain fresh feedback and an outsiders point of view,” Peters said.

Any student may enter a piece into the art show. It’s not only open to art majors.

“It’s important to hold a student art show because it allows students to test the effectiveness of their art work on a broader audience,” Peters said.

“The exhibit also promotes awareness for contemporary art in the community,” she said.

John Young, a junior majoring in art from Lamar, Colo., won best in show for his mixed media piece.

Gabe Wolff, a senior majoring in art, won the first place prize for his mixed-media piece.

Eric Canuel, also a senior majoring in art, took home the second place for his digital photography piece.

Third place was awarded to junior, art major Erica Wenzl, for her oil painting.

The winners of the art show don’t just get a ribbon.

The winners receive a cash prize and the students usually buy more materials with it, Peters said.

Honorable mentions went to Helen Bennett, a junior from Pueblo majoring in pre-business, for her ceramic piece and Anne Marie Lay, a sophomore, for a relief painting.

Other student pieces included a screen print from freshman art major Luke Arledge, an acrylic piece from sophomore art major Jeff Clawson, a pen and ink piece from senior art major, Jacque Meyer, and a mixed-media piece from Niki Godec, a degree plus student.

Peters said she thinks art shows give artists a preview of what the art community is like outside of college.

“The main benefit students get from this event is a preview of what it will be like,” Peters said.

She said it was important for the students to realize they would be judged by curators and audience members from the outside world.