Hans Habeger knows how exciting it is to be accepted into a juried art show — but it’s old hat for him now that he has had many paintings and drawings exhibited all over the country, including a recent solo show in Chicago.
But his students haven’t had that experience, and that’s why Habeger, an art teacher and co-curator of the Robert T. Wright Art Gallery at the College of Lake County, thinks the annual CLC Student Art Competition and exhibit, which opens Friday, is so special.
“A big part of being an artist is putting it in the public realm, sharing it and it being judged,” said Habeger, of Libertyville. “In some ways, it really doesn’t become art until it’s viewed publicly.”
Each year, he said, he enjoys going to the opening when 40 to 50 pieces of art selected from nearly twice that many student submissions get chosen to be exhibited.
“I remember the look on the students’ faces. They’re really happy. They’re enjoying the moment,” he said. “I get to meet their parents. They bring their families, and their families can see what we do at the college.”
When awards are announced, “it’s icing on the cake for them,” he said.
Approximately $1,200 will be presented Friday in cash prizes and purchase awards. Also, the Lake County Art League sponsors one $500 scholarship for art students.
Habeger curates the gallery with Erik Rowe, who also teaches art at CLC. They’ve been working with their students to prepare for entering pieces in the competition.
Rebecca Goldberg, Lake Forest College art gallery curator and lecturer, will select the winners who will be announced at 7 p.m. Friday. A CLC student jazz ensemble also will perform.
The public is invited to the free show, where they can view many kinds of art, Habeger said.
“They’ll see ceramics, oil paintings, watercolors, figure drawings, a wide range of subject matter,” he said. “They’ll see really great photography.”
Students are also working on sculpture and jewelry projects as well as some computer design projects that may get chosen for the exhibition.
Habeger, who teaches figure drawing, said he’s been working with his students on anatomy studies this semester.
“They use color pencil to separate out the layers of contours of the bone and muscle,” he said. “I’m hoping some students will submit those.”
The students also are working with charcoal and how light changes across surfaces, he said. “I think there will be a lot of those submitted as well.”
He also expects to see a couple of computerized art work submissions. Last year, a monitor was set up to display a logo design created by the digital media and design department, he said. Another student submitted an animation with the theme of love.
“This exhibit and competition is a reward for the students who have put a lot of time into their art work, who excel and love making art,” he said.
“It’s a venue for them to get their piece into the show, to get that elation you feel when you get accepted and to get over the fear of entering something.”
Habeger added the show is not just for the students but also for the community to learn what’s being done in art classes at CLC.
“The gallery is an awesome asset for getting people aware of different artists and the work our students are doing,” he said.
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The exhibit runs through May 8 and is open during CLC library hours, where the gallery is located.
The Wright gallery, established in 1981, also features exhibitions of work by Illinois artists.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Student Art Competition exhibit opening
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday; exhibit runs through May 8
Where: Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art, College of Lake County, 19351 Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-543-2040; jlc.clcillinois.edu