The Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 1, featuring the work of Barton students in a juried exhibit and will include music, refreshments, juror’s talk and an awards ceremony.
The judge for the exhibit will be professional watercolorist from Kansas State University, Jim Rigg. He will also provide the juror’s talk about the winning pieces in the exhibit as well as other topics.
Shafer Gallery Director David Barnes said entries for the exhibit come from students with varied backgrounds and experiences.
“The Barton Student Exhibit is unique in that we are not showing just the work of traditional students,” he said.  “There is a cadre of non-degree-seeking students who have developed a mentor relationship with their instructors, and they take courses year after year not to receive a degree, but to develop mastery and enjoy the community.  Some of their work is of the highest professional quality.”
The exhibit consists of artwork from Barton students only and has submissions in various 2-D and 3-D forms and Barnes encourages visitors to check for price tags if they see something that catches their eyes.
“The student work is often available for purchase, so the exhibition becomes an opportunity for the community to support student endeavors in a very concrete way,” he said.  “There are also some great bargains to be had collecting the work of emerging artists.”
The exhibit will run through April 22.  Regular viewing hours for the Shafer Gallery are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Monday through Friday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is always free.