2025 Fine Art Student Juried Exhibition
Award Winners
Full Exhibition
Samuel Dunson
Juror of the 2025 Fine Art Student Juried Exhibition
Samuel Dunson, a native of Dayton, Ohio, has been passionate about the arts from an early age. His parents instilled in him and his siblings a strong connection to culture, encouraging their engagement with music, theater, and the visual arts. Dunson also benefited from growing up at a time when arts education and funding were integrated into the school systems, which further nurtured his artistic inclinations. His formal journey into the arts began with a chance encounter at Tennessee State University, where an art professor encouraged him to take a drawing course. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to artistic exploration. Initially focused on 3D work, Dunson soon shifted his concentration to painting and drawing, mediums that have become a cornerstone of his practice for much of his creative career.
In 1992, Dunson earned a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art and quickly secured gallery representation in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the next six years, he built a strong exhibition record, establishing himself in the art community. His desire for deeper artistic engagement led him to pursue a Master of Fine Arts, and in 1998, he was awarded the prestigious Presidential Fellowship at the Savannah College of Art and Design. After earning his MFA in painting, he accepted a position at his alma mater, Tennessee State University, where he is in his twenty-fifth year of teaching art and design.
Though teaching is central to his professional life, Dunson remains dedicated to his own creative pursuits. During the 2020 Covid epidemic, he re-evaluated his art practice and moved away from painting on canvas, pivoting toward textile-based work. Since then, he has crafted intricate textile forms, cutting and shaping them to serve as the foundation for his mixed-media compositions. These pieces incorporate paint, vinyl, collage, and 3D objects, which are sewn and assembled onto the hand-crafted textiles, creating dynamic, multi-layered artworks.
Dunson’s work—spanning painting, sculpture, and textile-based media—grapples with the complexities of life’s transitions, serving as a personal yet universally resonant means of expression. With each piece, he continues to challenge his intellect and artistic abilities, consistently pushing the boundaries of his creative expression.
Juror's Statement
Taking on the task of judging is both an honor and a privilege. It is also an exhilarating yet daunting challenge, filled with moments of stress and trepidation. Though I say this tongue-in-cheek, I approach the responsibility with the utmost sincerity. As a juror, I strive to be as objective as possible in an endeavor that is, by nature, deeply subjective. This responsibility becomes even more challenging when considering the courage it takes for young, burgeoning artists to put themselves out there—to have their work judged by an unknown entity. For that, I commend each of you for allowing me to serve in this role.
The submission process is an act of artistic risk-taking, which is rewarding for some, yet disappointing for others. I deeply appreciate the creative and academic journey each student undertakes to submit their work, but with over 280 submissions, space simply does not allow for every piece to be included. This exhibition represents only a fraction of the academic and artistic talent I had the privilege of reviewing as the judge of the Sinclair Community College 2025 Fine Art Student Juried Exhibition.
In making selections, I aimed to ensure that the number of accepted works in each medium reflected the proportion of submissions. I did this in an attempt to keep the exhibition both balanced and diverse. I evaluated each piece based on the merits of its medium, style, and concept. This approach provided structure to the selection process, allowing each work to be considered within its own context before advancing to the final round. Ultimately, I trust this method has resulted in a compelling and diverse exhibition that showcases the breadth of media represented in the competition. As an educator of 25 years, I must say I am both impressed and reassured that the future of the arts will be shaped by the creative minds emerging from Sinclair College’s Art Program. I must also thank the professors who guide these students in their artistic journeys. As educators, we strive to be the steady hand on the back of the seat, gently coaxing young artists to believe they can, indeed, ride the bike. Our hope is that, one day, they won’t even realize we’ve let go, only to find themselves moving forward with confidence, unhindered, as we stand in awe of their journey.
Of course, judging is only one part of the larger exhibition process. I extend my gratitude to Amanda Darrah and her team in advance for their exceptional work in assembling an exhibition that, despite its range of diverse images and ideas, feels both organic and cohesive. Most importantly, I thank each and every student for putting themselves and their work forward. As you step into the gallery, I hope that students, faculty, staff, family, and friends walk away with a deeper understanding of these young artists and a greater connection to the language and reasoning behind the creative practice of art.
Sincerely,
Samuel Dunson
Visual Artist and Professor of Art
Tennessee State University
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS & SPONSORS
Professor Bridgette Bogle, Professor Mark Echtner,
Professor Kay Koeninger, & Associate Professor Anthony Wolking