Photo by Elizabeth Harman/The Siskiyou
Cat Smith's use of ceramics brought "Dive Dozen Large Arguments-Grade Act" to life.

Color, texture and stunning artwork now adorn the walls and floor of the Stevenson Union Gallery.

People milled freely in and out, gazing upon ceramic fish swimming up a wall, an old man sitting in a stuffed chair and a dozen eggs.

The Stevenson Union Gallery usually only hosts guest artwork, but student work has been showcased there as a part of the Student Art Show contest since May 15.

The contest was sponsored by Southern Oregon Fine Arts Students. S.O.F.A.S. promotes SOU visual art through meetings, open studio events, public art education, guest artists and the Student Art Show. Students were asked to submit art pieces for a $5 fee and Gallery Director Roger Wykes chose which pieces to include.

Sophomore human communications major Roy Sherwood’s favorite piece was Liesl Meissner’s "Tag." Meissner created several dozen green and white tiny porcelain fish swimming up the gallery walls, being chased by one orange fish in the back of the pack.

"It’s unique," said Sherwood of the piece. "It breaks away from the norm, and it reminds me of recess."

Sophomore English major Dax Treible enjoyed Shane Vanzant’s "Good of Bad" oil painting, a close-up painting of a handgun, its large barrel facing the audience.

"I love the ambiguity of it," said Treible. "It’s very stoic, very 'Sin City' style."

"All in all, I think this is one of the more unique galleries," said Sherwood.

Among many other students chosen to display their art was Riley Arthur. Arthur displayed three photographs titled "There is No Release." The photos depict a naked woman candidly sitting in the water with a fish hook in her mouth. Arthur was awarded $300 for the photos.

Kandace Collins’s "The Dancer Becomes the Dance" consists of wooden puzzle piece-like tiles laid on the floor of the gallery, fit together to make a small dance floor. Next to the tiles is an empty pair of red dancing shoes.

The students whose artwork has been showcased will receive honors and awards at a reception on May 28.

The gallery is located on the top floor of the Stevenson Union. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, contact Wykes at 552-6465.

For more information about S.O.F.A.S., contact Kyle Logsdon at 282-4078.