North Lake Campus celebrated student creativity at its annual art exhibition. The Student Art Exhibition 2025 is on view in the gallery through Nov. 26.
The juried exhibition features work from many categories, including ceramics, drawings, paintings, photos and 2D and 3D design work made by students in art classes on campus.
Gallery and Art Collection Manager, Randall Garrett, said he is proud of the work that students have created.
“We have great faculty here, and this exhibition shows the talent at North Lake Campus,” Garrett said.
Professor Brynn Higgins-Stirrup, assistant professor of instruction in visual arts, drawing, with the University of Texas at Dallas selected the award winners. The Best of Show selection received $100. The winners in each individual category and the Honorable Mention recipients received art books and certificates.
“Judging student art is not easy,” says Higgins-Stirrup. She is an art professor and serves as a juror in contests throughout Texas. “It is always challenging and interesting the same time.”
Higgins-Stirrup said she looks at each piece based on its formal elements including color, line, shape, lighting and how the piece connects with the audience.
The Best of Show award went to Mayra Caracheo for her photo “Solace” (Prof. Kate Jenkins). Top honors also went to Jose Guiterrez for his photo entitled “Curiosity” (Prof. Kate Jenkins). The first prize in drawing went to Norma Soto for her still life “There is Life Around Me” (Prof. Laura Lawson) with Becky Choe taking top honors in the painting category for “Sunrise Poppies” (Prof. Allison Gillies). Takako Martinez who was honored for her ceramic piece “Dinner Fountain” (Prof. Alex Ferrante).
In the category of 2D Design, Valerie Castillo won the top prize for “Norman” (Prof. Byron Black) and Ricardo Perez won the award for his 3D piece “Untitled Bag” (Prof. Alex Ferrante). The Digital Art and Design Award went to Anthony Kirkland for “Farewell Friend” (Prof. Byron Black).
Honorable mentions for photo went to Mya Lara for “Bedroom Light” (Prof. Kate Jenkins); Painting/Jasmine Thompson for “Apple and Orange on Plate” (Prof. Allison Gillies); Drawing/Bryan Chase Hooper for “Movie Night Still” (Prof. Laura Lawson); Ceramics/Kristine Leathers for “Access: 1 in 5” (Alex Ferrante); 2D Design/Natalie Salazar for “Vectoring” (Prof. Byron Black) and the Digital Art and Design award went to Maryan Martinez for “Emotional Autopsy” (Prof. Byron Black).
Garrett, who has worked with Dallas College for more than 20 years, said the exhibition reflects the effort students put into their education.
“Many of our students face challenges, but they stay focused and keep creating,” he said.
