The annual student art exhibition has launched with paintings, ceramics and drawings for the Baker University community to see the talent on campus.

The show started four years ago by Art Faculty Jennifer Jarnot and Professor of Art Inge Balch. They originated it to show the dedication and ability that many of their students have.

“It is an annual show that really came about to give our students in our art classes the opportunity to show to the Baker community their work they were completing in their art classes,” Jarnot said.

Students who have taken an art class within the last year can enter a piece and have the opportunity to have it featured in the showcase. Jarnot and Balch pick from the pool of contestants and select who will be in the show.

“When judging, I really look for that the students are meeting the goals and objectives of the assignment,” Jarnot said. “So let’s say, in a painting they have layering correct, using the right colors, understanding the blending and lighting, and the presentation; all these are important.”

Freshman Kelsey Vollenweider is grateful for this opportunity.

“I have a giant self portrait and two other smaller paintings featured in the show,” Vollenweider said. “I felt very much honored to be a part of a show that is really put together and has a bunch of great pieces from various students.”

Jarnot says that about only 10 percent of the students who enter work are art majors, while the rest are not and are just taking a class within the department.

Senior Tom Peters is part of that non-major group and has never thought of having such a talent within the realm of art. He took the class purely to meet an educational requirement and found that he has the ability to draw.

“I was very proud to be in the show and satisfied with my work,” Peters said. “It was a long process, but the entire class did an outstanding job and to be picked was a huge accomplishment for me.”

The show will run through April 16 in the Holt Russell Gallery and is open various hours for anyone in the Baker community to see.

“All the pieces in the show are fantastic. The entire show is of high quality,” Jarnot said. “It was very difficult to judge this year because there was so much good work.”