Student Art Exhibit Prospectus
May 5 - June 5, 2025
Reception on Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m. (awards presentation at 6:15 p.m.), Luecht Auditorium (B170).
This annual exhibition aims to showcase some of the finest works of visual art by MCC students. Awards are given to those works demonstrating exceptional merit, as selected by the faculty jury.
- Eligibility
Submission of work is open to any MCC student enrolled in credit art courses during the spring term. Work completed during the fall term may be submitted as long as the student is enrolled in the spring term. Entries must be related to course projects completed at MCC or as part of an independent study overseen by MCC instructors. Works previously submitted to MCC Student Art Exhibits are not eligible.
- Entries
Students may enter one or two pieces online and drop the work off in the Art Office, A144, on the designated dates. Please complete the entry form before dropping off the artwork.
Entries do not have to be framed for judging; however, works on paper must be temporarily mounted to a rigid backing—including a cover sheet to protect the surface. Wet paintings should remain in the painting studio. Selected works should not drastically increase dimensions if/when framed.
- Media
Painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry/metals, photography, 2D and 3D design, mixed media, digital media, and video are eligible.
- Jurors
The MCC Art Department will juror this year’s exhibition.
- Awards
Jurors select exhibition pieces and will determine entries to receive the following cash awards: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, and Merit Awards. MCC Art Department also selects Purchase Awards. Additionally, all students participating in the MCC Student Art Exhibit are eligible to apply for the Ryan Long Memorial Scholarship (two recipients receive $400 each). This requires a separate application form. See the Ryan Long Award application
- About Ryan Long
Ryan Long was a caring, enthusiastic, and energetic 12-year-old boy, when he was killed tragically in a flash flood in the Summer of 1993. He was a 7th grade student of Olsen Middle School in Woodstock and he was enrolled in the Community Education pottery classes at MCC.
In his memory a memorial fund was established and the first award was given out in the Spring of 1994. The fund has now grown into two individual scholarships per year benefiting promising art students at MCC.
This fund has been sustained through the generosity of many including the MCC pottery students, the MCC Ceramics instructor, and members of the Clayworkers’ Guild of Illinois. Each of these groups have given donations of their time, their pottery, and a percentage of the total money earned from the sales of their pottery.
In order to be eligible for this award, an MCC Student must be enrolled in an art class and participate in the MCC Student Art Show at the end of the year. A committee decides by merit the recipient of the award, in the hope that Ryan’s legacy of gentle enthusiasm and inspiration through example will continue.
- About Ryan Long
- Exhibition
Students whose work is selected and in need of framing or having other presentation issues should consult with their instructor regarding options for making their work ready for hanging in a professional manner. Framing is optional, though encouraged, depending on the suitability of each piece. If left unframed, work selected for the exhibit should have acrylic or glass cut to the correct size. Unframed works should also have a foam core, cardboard, etc., cut to size for the back. Large pieces of unframed glass are dangerous and will not be accepted—use acrylic for large pieces if left unframed. All paintings must be wired for hanging. Do not use staples to wire heavy paintings. Works that are intended to hang on a wall need a hanging implement. Brackets on ready-made photo frames are not acceptable.
- Selected Entries
Students will be notified by email about the jurors’ selections, and a list of accepted entries will also be posted throughout the art department. Students will have one week to prepare their pieces for hanging (framing, etc.). See deadlines under Calendar.
- Liability
Every effort will be made to ensure proper care and handling of the artwork. However, MCC cannot assume responsibility for any damage before, during, or after the exhibition. Only works accepted into the exhibition will be insured while on display at MCC. Works need not be for sale; however, sales are encouraged. Works checked “For Sale” will be listed at the stated value; however, the insurance will cover only up to $200. Instructors should assist students in determining a reasonable value for their work.
- Calendar
Work must be received during the specified times to be accepted. Please make arrangements with your instructors if you cannot bring your entries at the specified times.
- Entries accepted in the Art Office, A144
- Tuesday, April 15 - 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16 - 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Thursday, April 17 - 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Monday, April 21 – A list of accepted works will be emailed out and posted outside studio classrooms.
- April 21 - 24 – Pick up declined entries from the Art Office, A144, between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day.
- Monday, April 28 – Due date for selected works to be framed or otherwise “ready for hanging” and returned to the Art Office, A144.
- Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m. – Reception and Awards Presentation (at 6:15 p.m.) in the Luecht Auditorium, B170.
- June 9 - 11 – Pick up artwork from the Art Office, A144, between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. Any work not picked up will be held through the second week of the fall semester and then disposed of.
- Entries accepted in the Art Office, A144