UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The HUB-Robeson Galleries present the Visual Arts Annual Graduate Research Exhibition, on display in the HUB Gallery, from March 24 to May 9.

Established in 1986, the Graduate Research Exhibition hosted by the Graduate School places special emphasis on communicating research and creative endeavor to a general audience and offers an opportunity for professional development by challenging students to present their work to new audiences. 

The visual arts option is designed for students required to create studio work as a part of their graduate degree program and gives candidates demonstrate the significance of their ideas and creative research to jurors from outside of their field who score the works and award prizes.

The 2021 Visual Arts Option awards:

• First Place: Olorunfemi Kinrin. Arts and Architecture / Art. "DISCRIMINATION AND HUMANITY"
• Second Place: Madeleine Quinn. Arts and Architecture / Art. "Scopaesthesia"
• Third Place: Alexandra Russell. Arts and Architecture / Art. "When it has passed, what will you keep?"

Judging for the 2021 Graduate Research Exhibition took place online. This year’s exhibition features a variety of meaningful pieces speaking to the personal experiences of 12 different candidates. With a broad range of mediums spanning from ceramic to digital photography to oil on canvas, each piece is compelling in its own way and demonstrates the diversity of artistic talent possessed by Penn State graduate students.

The student’s works utilize creative symbolism to address critical issues such as the objectification of women, ecological concerns, and a broad range of intimate personal struggles. The exhibition displays the uniqueness of each candidate’s artistic journey, ventures to begin critical conversations and provides each student with the opportunity to present their work to the public.

“I feel grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself and the current grad cohorts to the Penn State community,” said master of fine arts student Audrey An. “As much as we lost the sense of community due to the pandemic, this physical showcase of the work feels rejuvenating.”

Candidate Megan Gottfried echoed the importance of being able to view her work in person: "It is an absolute privilege to have my work displayed in person! After a year without in-person art, exhibiting in the HUB-Robeson Gallery makes me feel happy and appreciative."

In-person HUB Gallery capacity will be limited to a maximum of five guests at a time, and all University pandemic safety requirements, including the wearing of masks, will be expected to be followed. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and admission is free.

For more information on upcoming events and exhibitions, contact the HUB-Robeson Galleries at 814-865-2563, or visit the HUB-Robeson Galleries website.