‘Hotter ‘N Hell’ winners announced; patron cocktail party cancelled, but closing reception will be Sept. 8

The juror for Northwestern State University’s “Hotter ‘N Hell” art exhibition announced prize winners for this year’s exhibition.  Michael W. Howes admitted that superb works in the exhibition made his decision extremely difficult.  Howes was limited to selecting four award winners out of 91 works of art by 40 artists from 21 states.  

According to exhibit coordinator and Professor of Art Phyllis Lear, the patron cocktail party set for Sept. 7 has been cancelled.  However, the Sept. 8 closing reception for artists will take place as planned.  That event is free and open to the public and will be from 5-7:30 p.m. in Orville Hanchey Gallery on Friday, Sept. 8.

The “Hotter ‘N Hell National Art Exhibition” encompasses all art forms that use fire and heat as part of the creative process, such as ceramics, glass-casting, welded sculpture, poured metals, metalsmith work and jewelry. The exhibition is hosted by the Department of Fine and Graphic Art July-September, the hottest months of the year.  

Viewers can visit the gallery between the hours of 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Fridays. A link to Virtual Exhibition can be found at https://www.nsula.edu/art/.

Howes awarded the prizes as follows.

BEST IN SHOW
Dennis Gerwin
Charlotte, N.C.
TITLE OF WORK: Figure Vessel
MEDIA:  Wood-fired Ceramic
SIZE:  24” x 12” x 10”
YEAR:  2022  

SECOND PLACE
Carrie Olsen  
Houston, Texas  
TITLE OF WORK: Relic  
MEDIA:  Ceramic and aluminum  
SIZE:  11” x 12” x 8”  
YEAR:  1995  

THIRD PLACE
Maggie MacKenzie  
Pfafftown, N.C.  
TITLE OF WORK:  Streamliner Teapot  
MEDIA:  Copper, Aluminum, Brass, Powder coat, Steel, Found Object  
SIZE:  5.75” x 2.75” x 10.38”  
YEAR:  2022  

BEST COLLEGIATE WORK AWARD
Jordan Scott  
Little Elm, Texas  
The University of North Texas  
TITLE OF WORK: Fan Ensemble (Collar, Crown, Cuff)
MEDIA:  Copper, fine silver, steel, 24k gold leaf, jade, green onyx
SIZE:  30” x 16.5” x 10” (Size of collar)
YEAR:  2022

For more information, contact Lear at learp@nsula.edu or call (985) 438-1532.