The winners have been announced for the “Visions of the World” student art competition held on the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith campus.

 

Rebekah Karp of Siloam Springs won Best of Show for her piece titled “Sunshine,” while Talia Blanton of Bonanza won first place for “The Land Unknown.” Fort Smith native Tia Johnston’s work “The World Is…” earned second place, and Christopher Ha of Fort Smith took home both third place and the student choice award for “Impressions of an Asiatic Scene.”

 

Competition chair Janice Beran said choosing the winners was difficult because of the quality of the submissions.

 

“The work our students produced reflects the diversity of our students and our campus,” Beran said.

 

The competition, which was part of UAFS’s annual International Festival, featured artwork by 23 students who were provided eight inch by eight inch canvases and required to produce artwork corresponding to the theme “Visions of the World.” Mediums used include oil, acrylic, pastel, collage and mixed medium pieces. The contest was open to all UAFS students.

 

Cash prizes were awarded to the winners, including $150 for Best of Show, $100 for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third place and $25 for the student choice award.

 

Their work will be featured in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center until May 15, and a silent auction is currently underway for the artwork. Each piece is available for purchase for a minimum bid of $25, and all profits from the sale will benefit the International Scholarship Program at UAFS. Bids will be taken until May 15 at the Box Office, room 103 of the Campus Center.

 

Exhibit hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Fridays. The exhibit is located across from the food court in the first floor hallway of the Campus Center.