University Galleries of Illinois State University is presenting the 2021 Student Annual as an online exhibition. All Illinois State University students were eligible to participate and could submit up to two works. This year’s exhibition was an open-call format, meaning that all submissions have been included. Ninety-two students participated.

Since 1974, the Student Annual has showcased new artwork produced by students at Illinois State University. This exhibition has offered many students the first opportunity to have their work reviewed by professionals outside the University. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, this year’s exhibition is presented online with one in-person installation featuring the work of Erika Shiba, the 2021 Marshall Dulaney Pitcher Award recipient. All submitted works are available for view.

View Student Annual exhibition

This year’s Student Annual awards are supported by the Wonsook Kim School of Art, the Creative Technologies program, Normal Editions, Silica Ceramics Club, University Galleries, Barry Blinderman (in memory of Karolee Johnson), Kelsey and Jonathan DeGreef (in honor of Richard D. Finch), Therese and Bob Franklin (in memory of Jen Franklin), Randy Reid, Irving S. Tick Memorial, and the glass and graphic design areas within the Wonsook Kim School of Art.

View Awards and Scholarships Video

The Wonsook Kim School of Art is pleased to present the 2021 Marshall Dulaney Pitcher Award to M.F.A. student Erika Shiba. This award honors outstanding students in the visual arts who demonstrate exceptional artistic talent, dedicated studio practice, and academic excellence. This year marks the 51st anniversary of this prestigious award, which was established by the Pitcher family in memory of painting student Marshall Pitcher. University Galleries has traditionally dedicated exhibition space within the Student Annual to winners of the Marshall Dulaney Pitcher Award, and works by Shiba will be on display at University Galleries through May 16. Additional images of her work are included in the online exhibition. To view Shiba’s work at University Galleries, make a free reservation.

Follow University Galleries on Facebook to learn more about this year’s award recipients.

This year’s studio judge is Chicago-based artist and educator  Cecil McDonald, Jr. His solo exhibition, In the Company of Black, was presented at University Galleries in 2018. This year’s design judge is Yeohyun Ahn, a Madison-based designer, educator, and researcher, integrating creative coding, digital fabrication, and physical interaction into spatial typography and graphic design. Read more about this year’s judges.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) response

  • In accordance with Illinois Board of Higher Education and Restore Illinois guidelines, attendance will be kept under 25 at all times.
  • University Galleries remains free and open to the public, but visitors must book an appointment through the Bookings link on the University Galleries’ website.
  • Visitors to University Galleries will be required to wear a face covering and practice physical distancing.
  • University Galleries’ main entrance will function as the “in-door” and the emergency exit in our east gallery will function as the “out-door” to reduce congestion in the entry vestibule and lobby.
  • Hand sanitizer stations, physical-distancing decals, and directional arrows will be located throughout the gallery spaces.
  • There will be additional cleaning of high-contact points and restrooms.

Information on Illinois State University’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response is available here.

University Galleries

University Galleries, a unit in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, is located at 11 Uptown Circle, Suite 103, at the corner of Beaufort and Broadway streets. Parking is available in the Uptown Station parking deck located directly above University Galleries.

You can find University Galleries on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter, and sign up to receive email updates through the newsletter. Please email gallery@IllinoisState.edu or call (309) 438-5487 if you need to arrange an accommodation to participate in any events related to the exhibitions.