Western Carolina University’s 58th Annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition honored student artists during an awards ceremony held Feb. 26 at the WCU Fine Art Museum, recognizing work across media and innovative approaches to materials.
This year’s exhibition was selected in person by juror Tracy Templeton, who said undergraduate exhibitions mark an important transition for student artists.
“Undergraduate exhibitions are vital because they mark a transition from making work in the studio or classroom to presenting it publicly,” said Templeton. “That shift changes everything.”
Templeton explained that juried exhibitions also introduce students to the realities of the professional art world, including the process of selection and evaluation.
The exhibition showcased the work of 25 undergraduate students, highlighting their creativity and artistic talents.
Templeton said she looked for clarity of intention when selecting works for inclusion and awards.
“Strong work tends to have a sense of purpose—it feels resolved rather than accidental,” she said.
The Best in Show award went to James Wood Boone for “The Caretaker,” earning a $500 prize for the exhibition’s most outstanding work. Boone also received a merit award in time-based media for the same piece.
The Belchor College of Fine and Performing Arts Dean’s Purchase Award went to Courtnie Little for “Promise Land.”
The Museum Director’s Award went to Macie Bishop for “Altered Rebar,” selected as a standout piece by Denise Drury Homewood, earning $150 along with the title.
The Chancellor’s Award went to Lyn Rivenbark for “Lynda-Relaxation” and Valeria Enid Ramos for “Mirada de Mujer,” recognizing work chosen by Chancellor Kelli R. Brown and awarding $350 each.
The Diane Withrow Coyle Award in Drawing was presented to Jonah Gillen for “Metamorphosis.”
The new Art Education Award went to Ella Gamble for her photographic series “Vulture Culture,” “Ash” and “Invisible,” highlighting work by an art education major.
Merit awards recognized students across design, 2-D media, 3-D media and time-based media, each including $100.
The Merit Design Award went to Rhiannon Eason for “Clix.” In 3-D media, Victoria Im received a merit award for “Something Blue” and Cayenne Dabels for “Recycled Heart.”
Merit awards in 2-D media went to Charlie Stuckey for “Folk Books I-III” and Lily Tran for “Threshold II.”
Blick Art Materials Awards, each awarding $50, honored four students for experimentation with materials: Diana Limbo for “Not a Typical Teacup,” Natasha Lambert for “Standard Practice,” Daniel Velazquez Perez for “Paper Planes Attack I,” and Savannah Woodard for “Hunted.”
While the awards recognized technical achievement, students said the exhibition also marked a milestone in their artistic development.
Carved, wheel-thrown sculptures stoneware entitled “Something Blue” by Victoria Im. Photo by Kendall Link. 
Acrylic, lace, glitter and mod podge on a door entitled “Threshold II” by Lily Tran. Photo by Kendall Link. 
Accordion book containing collagraph print entitled “Folk Book I-III” by Charlie Stuckey. Photo by Kendall Link. 
Watercolor and gouache piece titled “Visitors” by Aster Ayer. Photo by Kendall Link 
Ground rebar, steel wire and fabric sculpture entitled “Altered Rebar” by Macie Bishop. Photo by Kendall Link. 
“Hunted” by Savannah Woodard, three panels of oil paint on canvas boards. Photo by Kendall Link. 
A wood and acrylic piece entitled “Refraction” by Macie Bishop. Photo by Kendall Link. 
Acrylic and layered gesso on a canvas titled “Desecrated Grounds” by Kylie Malia Noelani Chatham. Photo by Kendall Link.
James Wood Boone
James Wood Boone received Best in Show for “The Caretaker,” which also earned him a merit award in time-based media.
This piece features an up-close video of a cassette tape physically degrading and unraveling. As the tape degrades, the accompanying audio shifts from clarity to distortion, allowing viewers to see and hear the process of deterioration unfold in real time.
“The whole story of the disintegration and the audio clip that you hear in the beginning is inspired by just childhood and growing up and kind of raising yourself into adulthood,” said Boone.
Boone drew inspiration from two artists: The Caretaker, the name of the piece, and William Basinski, known for creating ambient loop compositions similar to the degrading tapes shown in the video.
Boone, an environmental science major, says that it’s an honor to be selected for this exhibition, especially as a non-art student.
He added that his work aims to fully absorb viewers into the worlds he creates.
“In general, my work is all about immersion, and kind of just getting lost in a world, so I really like creating world-building and stuff, and I like people to kind of just like get sucked into it,” Boone said.
Valeria Enid Ramos
Valeria Enid Ramos was recognized with the Chancellor’s Award for “Mirada de Mujer,” a work exploring human emotion, memory and family.
Ramos was selected for a digital photograph on matte paper of her grandmother, presented in a black-and-white palette.
“I wanted people, when they look at it, to slow down and appreciate moments because our grandfathers and our great-grandparents are still alive. They are the people who shape us,” said Ramos. “They’re the ones that always try to make us smile, even in the worst, darkest moments.”
Ramos explained in the artwork’s description that the image serves as a reminder that even when a loved one is gone, there will be a part of them with us.
“What inspired this piece is helping me heal and close that chapter with my grandmother. And in a way, I know she’s always going to be okay. And she’s always going to be a part of me,” said Ramos.
Ramos is a senior studio art major and says that it means a great deal to her to be selected for the juried exhibition.
Courtnie Little
Courtnie Little received the BCFPA Dean’s Purchase Award for “Promise Land.”
This piece is a linocut reduction of relief on paper, and it is a reflection on faith and disillusionment, rendered in an autumn palette.
“I have a deep connection with deer. They often represent innocence and such. And I added a church to represent religion. So, it’s like my struggle with being religious, because I don’t want to be religious, but it’s like pressure, especially since we’re in the Bible Belt,” said Little.
Little said that being in the exhibition has opened new doors and opportunities as a student artist.
“It’s definitely a big honor. I was selected last year as well, but I didn’t win anything,” said Little. “So, it was a big honor to be in the show and now, an even bigger honor to actually get something out of it.”
Lily Tran
Lily Tran earned a merit award in 2-D media for “Threshold II.”
This piece is a combination of acrylic paint, lace, glitter and Mod Podge on a door. The work emerged from renovating her childhood home.
“This door became a symbol of confrontation and choice. Revisiting these spaces forced me to face not only the physical reality of the home, but also the traumas embedded in my upbringing,” said Tran.
Tran described her piece by using found material that holds the weight of memories.
“Rather than turning away, I chose to meet my younger self with forgiveness, grace and compassion; care that I did not always receive at the time,” said Tran. “Definitely, I want people to talk to their inner child more and heal their inner child.”
Tran is a studio art major with a concentration in drawing and painting. She said she typically works on canvas, focusing on representational pieces rather than abstract work.
She said that being selected for this exhibition affirms her ability to artistically express herself and confirms that others connect with her work.
“People see your vision, and somebody’s going to do it. Somebody is going to try it once. You’d be surprised to see how many people relate to stuff and interpret it in their own way,” said Tran.
