Each year, the University Art Museum at New Mexico State University receives 60 to 80 submissions from both art majors and non-majors for its annual Juried Student Show. An outside juror, chosen by the museum staff, then selects works to be included in the show.
This year’s juror, El Paso-born artist Celia Álvarez Muñoz, selected 32 works from 28 different NMSU students for the 2024 Juried Student Show. Álvarez Muñoz’ recent UAM exhibition titled “Celia Álvarez Muñoz: Breaking the Binding” included more than 35 artworks spanning a 40-year career.
"It was a pleasure to see a variety of thought-provoking statements, articulated and manifested as strong works of art in a variety of media by NMSU students,” Álvarez Muñoz said.
The Juried Student Show will begin with an opening reception at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, followed by an award ceremony at 6 p.m. in Devasthali Hall. The exhibition will be free and open for public viewing from March 22 through April 20 in the UAM’s Contemporary Gallery in Devasthali Hall.
Álvarez Muñoz’ also delivered this year’s keynote speech during NMSU’s annual Research and Creativity Week in February, the first artist offered this honor. While in Las Cruces, she reviewed the submitted digital applications in-person.
“Celia took the process very seriously and considered multiple factors in her selection process,” said museum coordinator Jasmine Herrera. “As an educator for many years, she considered things like where students were at in their college career, their skill level in their chosen mediums, conceptual development, etc. I do believe she approached the process with her signature playfulness and appreciated works that incorporated alternative ways of thinking and seeing.”
In the past, the UAM has received submissions from more than art students, including those majoring in geography, psychology and education as well as students in the Creative Media Institute.
“We aim to be inclusive of all students at NMSU,” Herrera said. “We think it is important to offer them an opportunity to express their creativity regardless of which major they have chosen. Oftentimes, it allows students to think more openly about their career paths and create space to consider taking art classes.”
Herrera explained the presentation of different, unique voices and backgrounds aligns with the museum’s mission to bring the community together through culturally relevant art and to provide enriching and informative experiences for young artists in the region.
“The JSS is often the first chance young artists in college have to exhibit their work at a professional level,” Herrera said. “It is a tremendous opportunity to gain professional practice knowledge with things like contracts, installation, pricing and programming.”
Visit uam.nmsu.edu for more information about this year’s selected student works. The UAM is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and is located inside Devasthali Hall at 1308 E. University Avenue.
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CUTLINE: “Coatlicue,” an oil painting by New Mexico State University student Citlali Delgado. See “Coatlicue” and other student work at the Juried Student Show, open for public viewing from March 22 through April 20 in the University Art Museum’s Contemporary Gallery in Devasthali Hall. (Courtesy photo)