Several ISU student artists have the chance to shine as they display their talent and artwork in the Senior Art Show this week.

More than 70 students are showing off their best work from their college portfolios through April 1 in Gallery 181 of the Design building. A variety of art media will be demonstrated, including ceramics, wood, metal, print making, photography and painting.

A reception in the Design Building Atrium will be held Friday at 4 p.m. and will feature live music by local band Twistin’ Trees.

“The reception is open to everyone and refreshments and snacks will be provided,” says Christa Bahr, co-chairwoman for the event. “All the artists with work displayed will be around to answer questions.”

Students can use artwork from throughout their college careers for the show, not just pieces from their senior year, says Bahr, senior in art and design.

Most of the artists are seniors, but senior class status is not a requirement for the exhibit.

“Showing pieces in the art show is required of all fine arts seniors before they graduate,” Bahr says. “Students generally enter pieces that they might someday want to enter in other shows or use to get into graduate school. This is the best of their portfolio work.”

Each student submitted at least two pieces to the show, resulting in more than 140 pieces on display.

“This is a really large show, since 72 students is one of the biggest senior classes the art college has had in awhile,” says show co-chairwoman Shanna Hamann. “I’ve also heard it contains some of the best work seen in a few years.”

Hamann, senior in art and design, has two realistic watercolor pieces entered in the show, one titled “Frog’s Paradise” and the other titled “Waterfront.” She says the show allows students from all majors to experience what ISU artists can do.

“We have pieces made of metal, ceramic, fiber and wood — we’re not just displaying painting and drawing,” Hamann says. “This is a chance for students from other colleges — people who are on the other side of campus — to come see and experience something different.”

Bahr’s emphasis has been in photography, and she made her two pieces during her senior year at Iowa State. Her mixed media piece is made of ink, watercolor and spray paint, and is titled “Mountain Valley.” She also submitted a piece of photography titled “Starburst.”

Bahr says the art show is a good chance for students to see what their fellow students are creating.

“It’s a great opportunity for people outside of design to see what types of art are being created at ISU,” Bahr says.

“It’s important to support the arts, whether it’s the performing arts or fine arts.”