Black frames and white mats surround simple black and white photographs. Brightly colored orange and pink fabric wall hangings adorn the tan walls. Framed wood carvings in intense neon colors give life to the artists’ thoughts.

These are all descriptions of works of art on display as part of the print and photo exhibit in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union. This annual event is hosted by the Student Union Board and will be on display until April 2.

“Claire Jaksich and I started working on the show sometime last semester,” said Letitia Kenemer, fine arts coordinator for the Memorial Union and adviser to the Student Union Board.

The application process was open to all students, although most of the submissions came from the College of Design.

Daniel Francis, junior in mechanical engineering, has a photograph of the Maine coast on display in the exhibit.

“Most of what I do is land work from my travels,” Francis said.

He said he likes to take pictures of places he has traveled to and bring them back to Iowa. The Maine photo was taken on a family vacation. He then made copies of the print to give to his dad. The approval of his dad helped him decide to enter the piece into the show.

“Dad said he got a lot of compliments on the photo,” Francis said.

Although Francis is not an art and design student, he does enjoy taking photos. He said he does not see himself doing photography as a full-time job, but he does see it as something that will always be a part of his life.

Francis will be able to find out if he received any awards at a public reception taking place 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union.

The show will be judged by Adam Albright, a freelance photographer from Des Moines.

Albright will speak at the reception about his experience as an artist and his process of selecting the winning pieces of art. Jurors are selected based on their experience with art and aren’t required to be practicing artists.

“The juror usually has a diverse background in the art field and is willing to come and jury for us,” said Jaksich, SUB fine arts director and junior in art and design.

Along with Albright’s title of juror comes responsibilities. He chose all of the pieces of art on display from the 137 submissions and will award four artists with a little extra spending money.

One of the 38 pieces will be named best in show and receive a $100 prize. Three $75 merit awards will also be awarded, along with two honorable mentions.

This is the second of three shows that are open to ISU students. The third show, the Focus Grant Exhibit, will be on display from April 6 to 11 in the Pioneer Room of the Memorial Union.

Jaksich will also hand out a lucrative award. She will select the purchase award, which, once selected, will become part of the permanent art collection in the Memorial Union.

“The piece should be something that will fit into the permanent collection well,” Jaksich said. “Usually with student work that gets purchased, it is hung somewhere in the Memorial Union, so that is another factor in making the decision – if it will fit places well.”