The reception for Brookhaven campus student art exhibition was held on Nov. 7, in which attendees had a chance to look at the art and to attend the award ceremony. The gallery was open from Oct. 21 until Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Forum Gallery in room F102.

Each Dallas College campus has a student art exhibition, with each student permitted to submit three pieces depending on the size, ranging from things such as drawing and painting to printmaking, sculpture and photography. Gallery coordinator Meredith Tinkle said Brookhaven had a total of 162 submissions, making it the biggest show the campus has ever had.

“We get a mix of work from beginning students who have never been to an exhibition before, to students who have been here for a while and are more seasoned artists,” Tinkle said. “So it’s cool to see the mix, and it’s exciting for students to have their very first show.” 

During the reception, an award ceremony was held recognizing a first place winner and an honorable mention for each category, including: drawing, sculpture, ceramic, 2D design and 3D design. 

Meg Griffiths, artist and associate professor of photography in the Visual Arts Division at Texas Woman’s University, judged the art and announced the winners.  

“Humanity in the future is what I really saw in this room,” Griffiths said in her speech. “… Being human in that vulnerable, raw state, things about mentality, horror, chaos – that’s so much of the work here. But also work that’s about absolute joy and expression. And it was really wonderful to be with all these pieces.”

Brookhaven student Noor Alrubaye won first place in 3D design for her wooden piece, which she titled “DiskShell.” Alrubaye said she came up with the name because the piece itself is meant to resemble something complicated, such as the universe or an emotion to the viewer. 

“I made my piece knowing that it would make an impact as an idea when you look at it,” Alrubaye said. “It took a lot of time and effort to make it so I’m really proud. I’ve always wanted to have people that look at my artwork kind of relate to it. So it’s just such an honor to have people acknowledge my work.” 

At the end of the award ceremony, the honorable mentions and first place winners gathered for a group photo. Afterward, first place winners received an art book donated to the art program by the Dallas Museum of Art.

“I just have to say, wow, what an amazing, critical [and] important time to be an artist,” Griffiths said. “To be an artist, we have the privilege and joy to be able to make when sometimes words fail us, especially in times like this. I want to thank all of you for choosing to be artists, for waking up every day and knowing that your value and voice is incredibly important and vital to this world that we’ve been given, but also the world that we’re actively trying to change.”