Press

The Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition returns to the New York State Museum June 15, showcasing art created by SUNY’s top student artists from across the state.

Open until September 15, the juried exhibition features artworks chosen by individual art departments across SUNY’s 64 campuses. Included are 62 works selected from more than 300 pieces submitted for the SUNY Art Student Exhibition Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 at the State University Plaza in Albany.  The traditional areas of drawing, ceramics, painting, printmaking, mixed media, photography sculpture and digitally produced works are included.

Three student artists in the Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition will receive $1,000 scholarships. Honorable Mention awards of $500 will be given to four additional students. SUNY will announce the awardees later this month.

“The Board of Regents understands the value of public access to art," New York State Education Commissioner Dr. John B. King, Jr. said.  "Collaborations of this kind strengthen education in New York.  The Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition at the State Museum speaks volumes of the quality of artwork being created on SUNY campuses and also highlights the gifted faculty who teach in the arts. This is a wonderful opportunity for SUNY’s student artists to exhibit their artwork.  Thousands of New Yorkers will view their work over the next few months.  This a great exhibit for the Museum and a great achievement for these students.”

“The Best of SUNY art exhibition showcases works created by our top student artists from colleges and universities across New York over the past year,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “This annual exhibit at the Museum has become a must-see attraction in our state’s capital city and we are pleased to partner with the State Education Department and the Museum to present our student masterpieces once again. Congratulations to all of this year’s contributors.”

“The New York State Museum is pleased to host the Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition,” said State Museum Director Mark Schaming.  “Each year a new group of talented student artists create diverse and captivating art work that reflects the superior art education opportunities at SUNY campuses across the state.  New York State’s position is unique given the power of the public university system, the talents of these emerging artists and the synergy of the art world that is central to this state. Once again thousands of visitors to the State Museum will have a chance to view the outstanding work that is the result of these exceptional programs.  It is a great tribute to the artists, faculty and families across the state who are dedicated to a public education in the visual arts.”

The SUNY student art shows were initiated in 2002 so that the work of SUNY’s most talented student artists would be seen by a wider audience.  SUNY student art is also on display year-round at State University Plaza in Albany, SUNY Global Center in New York City, and Governor Cuomo’s Washington, DC office.  This will be the sixth time since 2006 that the State Museum hosted the exhibition.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the nation, educating nearly 468,000 students in 7,500 degree and certificate programs.  More information is available at www.suny.edu.

The State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website at www.nysm.nysed.gov.