Batson Takes Top Prize in 2017 Exhibit

Arkansas Tech University student Chelsea Batson was presented with the best in show award on Friday, March 17, for her entry in the 2017 Art and Architecture Exhibit hosted by the Arkansas Tech Museum.

Batson is a senior history major from Rogers. Her watercolor of the Stroupe Building will be purchased by the museum and become part of its permanent collection.

Tara Webb, a junior graphic design major from Alma, and Melissa Mayner, a junior art education major from Altus, received honorable mention awards.

All of the watercolor artworks submitted for the exhibit will remain on display through April 26 in the Arkansas Tech Museum, which is located in the Techionery at at 1502 North El Paso Ave. in Russellville.

Each year since 2009, a structure on campus has been selected as the focal point of the Art and Architecture exhibit. The Stroupe Building was chosen for the 2017 show.

The Art and Architecture exhibit is a collaborative effort by the Arkansas Tech Museum and the Arkansas Tech Department of Art. The participating students for 2017 are classmates in a course taught by David Mudrinich, professor of art at ATU.

The series was inspired by the 1968 watercolor paintings of six campus facilities by Arkansas Tech student James Gowing for the Arkansas Tech Alumni Association calendar.