The reception for student art exhibit APEX Art Exhibit — formerly called the Focus Juried Exhibit — took place in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union on April 8. The exhibit was the final annual student art exhibit of the year.

To be a part of the exhibit, any ISU student could enter up to three pieces of their original artwork that had not been accepted into any previous exhibits. This year’s juror was Tim Dooley, a professor at the University of Northern Iowa. Dooley picked a variety of artwork to be in the final exhibit from the pieces that were submitted on March 31.

From his selection, 29 pieces were on display at the reception along with two digital entries from 24 students.

Students participating in the exhibit also got the chance to receive awards. The juror determined a Best of Show award, three Merit Award winners and two Honorable Mentions from the accepted pieces of student artwork.

The Best of Show award was given to Anndrea Joiner for her work titled “Casual Racism.” This piece was simply oil, acrylic and spray paint on three separate pieces of burlap.

“Paint isn’t my medium of choice but I felt it the best way to express the subject matter and burlap is a porous material allowing for the medium to seep and sink into it,” Joiner said. “As the title says, the impetus for this piece is based on the matter of racism. This piece should be experienced by the viewer, allowing them to draw their own understanding of ‘Casual Racism’ as a piece.”

The three Merit Awards were given to Alexis Dwyer for “Natural Bridges,” Mitzi Alexander for “Identity” and Reed Siems for “Three & Then Some.” The two Honorable Mentions were given to Elisabeth Oeverli for “Fish Still Life” and Richard Auchus for his three digital photography pieces, “The Veil,” “The Void” and “Passage.”

Along with the Dooley’s decisions of awards, a single Purchase Award was given out by the Student Activities Center. This award allows the artist’s piece to be purchased by the center and will be included in the MU’s permanent art collection. This year’s purchase award was given to Alexis Dwyer for her relief print that she titled “Natural Bridges.”

All 31 pieces accepted into the APEX Art Exhibit will be on display until May 3, 2015. The exhibit is free and open to the public.