Spotlight on students

TUESDAY, Feb. 2 — More than 110 works of art by Greater Lansing students were unveiled Friday evening at a kickoff gala for MSU Federal Credit Union’s ninth annual Student Art Exhibit. The event, held in the lobby of the credit union’s headquarters, featured guest speakers Khalid Ibrahim, photographer and owner of Eat Pomegranate Photography, and Debbie Mikula, executive director of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

The students showcased their artwork for the gathering of family, teachers, school officials and area art supporters. The exhibit features a wide variety of mediums, including paintings, sketches, sculpture and photography. The student artists featured in the exhibit come from 15 different Greater Lansing schools.

“I have been walking around here and I can’t believe that these paintings are by high school students,” Ibrahim said. “And I would have never seen those if I weren’t involved in this talk,”

He also spoke to the crowd about his passion for photography, showing the young artists how a love of art can be shaped into a career.

Deborah Cordill stands next to "Motown," her entry in the Student Art Exhibit

Naseim Omeish/City Pulse

“I feel very excited to be here again, I was here two years ago and I am happy to be here again in my senior year” said Cordill, who is still not sure whether she will major in art in college.

“As creative artists of all sorts grow up, they stop doing passion projects or personal projects things that made them artists in the first place,” said Ibrahim “So at young age, if people have a venue and a place and appreciation for doing something that evokes passion in them, that is gold because that person at a young age has the ability to continue on and let that skill flourish”

The artists will compete in two divisions: the people’s choice division, decided by votes, and a juried division. Viewers can vote for their favorite works online or by using ballots at the exhibit. The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 24 and it is open to the public during MSUFCU’s normal business hours. The public can also view the artwork and vote online at msufcuart.com.

This year’s panel of judges includes Lansing-based artist Ingrid Blixt, illustrator and artist Kate Cosgrove and Anne O’Connor, owner of Art Unlimited in Okemos.

Prizes for both divisions include $300 for first place winners, $200 for second place winners and $100 for third place winners. One student will also be awarded a $50 social media award for gaining the most likes on the MSUFCU Student Art Exhibit Facebook page. All awards will be handed out at a reception at 2 p.m. Feb. 28 at MSUFCU Headquarters.

“We are so excited to host this event again this year,” said April Clobes, CEO of MSUFCU. “Our local students always amaze me every year with how talented they are. We are so proud to be able to share their work with our community. I hope everyone is able to visit this year and cast their votes for their favorite pieces.”