The Southern Utah Museum of Art presented its first-ever juried high school art show, Square One: Southwest Regional High School Exhibition, according to a press release. The exhibition featured selected artworks by high school artists from across the southwest region of Utah.
Square One was supported by the State Bank of Southern Utah and the Southwest Educational Development Center. As part of the sponsorship, the State Bank of Southern Utah planned to purchase an exceptional piece of art from the exhibition for its permanent collection, providing a $750 Purchase Award to the selected artist. Additionally, the museum and the Southwest Educational Development Center offered cash prizes through a Jurors’ Choice Award, five Awards of Excellence, and three Honorable Mention awards.
According to the museum, the exhibition aimed to provide young artists with a professional museum-level experience and a chance for the community to view work from an underrepresented demographic of artists. Guest juror and local watercolor artist Roland Lee noted that the exhibition provides an opportunity for young artists to receive feedback and see their work exhibited outside of their own schools or communities.
The museum received 171 art entries from 105 students following a call for art sent to Iron, Kane, Millard, Washington, Garfield, and Beaver counties. A jury consisting of Roland Lee, photographer and Luminaria co-founder Christine Baczek, and Southern Utah University assistant professor of art education Stuart Robinson selected 71 entries from 62 artists. The selected artists represented Iron, Kane, Millard, and Washington counties.
The Southern Utah Museum of Art is located on the campus of Southern Utah University. The museum's permanent collection includes works by regional artists, faculty and student artists from the SUU Department of Art & Design, and emerging and distinguished artists from across the country. Admission to the museum is free and open to the public.
