Olivet College will host the 2012 Michigan Small Colleges’ Art Exhibition Thursday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, March 25 in the Riethmiller Blackman Art Building’s Kresge Art Gallery. The event, which is free and open to the public, features student artwork from Adrian, Albion, Alma and Olivet colleges.

Olivet students who were accepted for the exhibition include: Alexis Barroso, a junior from Marshall, oil painting titled “In Shadow;” John Byrens, a senior from Marshall, oil paintings titled “Night on the Porch” and “Miriam Sleeping by TV Light;” Stephanie Craw, a junior from Marshall, oil painting titled “Young Ambition;” Christopher Floyd, a junior from Hastings, charcoal drawing titled “Repose;” Naomi Haralson, a junior from Bellevue, gouache titled “The Lure;” Caitlin Lohr, a senior from Holland, charcoal drawing titled “Lying;” Jenna Mayle, a sophomore from Ionia, charcoal drawings titled “Good Fortune” and “Marga;” Emily Pieri, a senior from Cedarville, charcoal drawing titled “Glance;” Jesse Rodriguez, a senior from Ligonier, Ind., oil painting titled “Cupcake on Pedestal;” and Mahalia Stelter, a freshman from Covert, acrylic painting titled “The Thrower.”

From the 105 works accepted into the exhibition, a juror will select 14 prize winners with an awards ceremony and reception taking place March 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Kresge Art Gallery.

Joanna Learner, a painter, sculptor and jeweler from Battle Creek, serves as this year’s juror. Learner has taught enameling, jewelry and art education classes at the Art Center of Battle Creek, Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University (WMU). She has exhibited in solo and group shows nationally, and in France and Japan. Her social protest paintings were featured locally and at French conferences in Grenoble and Paris.

Learner earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Fine Arts from WMU in jewelry and metal design. In 1996, she retired as art instructor and director of the Academic Enrichment Program for the Battle Creek Public Schools. She continues to paint and sculpt in her studio on the banks of the Kalamazoo River.

Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (269) 749-7627.

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