On April 8, anticipation filled the air as art contestants waited to hear the announcement of the winners who competed in the college's Juried Student Art Exhibition.

Palo Alto's Department of Fine and Performing Arts sponsored the competition that roughly 150 students entered. Only about 35 students made it to the actual exhibit in Gallery 100. Categories in the competition included drawing, painting, photography, digital photography, animation video, sculpture and ceramics. Students enrolled in an art class either this semester or last were able to submit up to two works.

Palo Alto Art Professor Mark Hogensen said that the jury based its decision of the winners on, "technique, idea, and also execution. You need to have a good idea, and it needs to be well executed to… demonstrate an understanding of the media that you're working with."

Dustin Meredith won Best of Show for his piece titled "72 Ink Works" made with India ink on paper. Individually framed ink patterns lined up side by side, eight across and nine frames deep, is mounted against a black background painted on the gallery wall. It is the first work to catch your eye when entering the gallery.

Winners received certificates of recognition for their artistry. Drawing's first place went to Enrique Olvera, and second was awarded to Felicia Martinez. Mariano Garcia took first in Painting, and Javier Vargas received second. First place in Digital Photography went to Amy Castro, while Dexter Morales won second place. In Digital Animation, Jessica Macias received first place. Erin Waller won first in Traditional Photo, and Kristian Krugman took second. In Sculpture, Priscilla Escobedo received first, and Catherine Guerrero placed second. Ceramic first place winner went to Genevieve McGarity, and second went Mari Aguilar.

"I usually like to make a lot of characters, like Japanese characters," sophomore McGarity said. Her ceramic winning piece "Geisha" is of a colorfully painted head of a sculpted geisha. "I started out checking out different Japanese art, and I saw a lot of geishas, so I just decided to make it."

This is Palo Alto's third year to host the exhibit in Gallery 100. Hogensen organized this year's competition, but the entire art staff had some part in the set up. In fact, the full-time art faculty, Hogensen, Alba DeLeon, Cakky Brawley, Lloyd Walsh, and Karen Mahaffy, made up the jury of the show.

"I thought it was an extremely strong representation of work from all our studio classed," Ceramics and Sculpture Professor Brawley said.

Sarah Soria, a sophomore at Palo Alto, stopped by to view the artwork. "I know some of these people," said Soria. "I'm really surprised that they could create something like this. It's amazing that such a variety of creativity comes from here."

Gallery 100 is in the Gallery and Sculpture Building, Room 100. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The student exhibit was open April 8 through April 28.

Internationally shown sculptor and photographer, Stuart Allen, will have his work in the Gallery 100 beginning Sept. 6.