The Department of Art + Design at Utah State University, together with the Caine College of the Arts, is currently hosting the 8th annual Paper & Clay juried exhibition. Running from Feb. 3 to March 7, the event is taking place at the Tippetts & Eccles Galleries, showcasing exceptional ceramic and printmaking pieces produced by undergraduate and graduate students across the nation.

This year’s exhibition is to feature a collection of 75 works from artists representing 25 different educational institutions. All the showcased works were produced within the past two years, focusing solely on paper or clay mediums. "Todd Hayes and I developed this idea eight years ago to offer students the opportunity to exhibit in a gallery setting, have their work juried by a professional artist, and do so at an affordable cost," said Kathy Puzey, printmaking professor, as per USU Today.

The selection process involves USU faculty conducting initial reviews, while a guest juror, part of the Communitas Lecture Series, has the responsibility to finally determine award winners. The guest juror alternates each year between a specialist in printmaking and ceramics. In terms of student participation, a modest entry fee of $20 permits the submission of up to three pieces of work.

USU's renowned ceramics and printmaking programs stand out for their commitment to creativity, technical expertise, and community interaction. The ceramics program notably offers 15,000 square feet of studio space and 20 kilns, together with opportunities to study internationally. Meanwhile, the printmaking program is known to seamlessly blend traditional techniques with contemporary practices. "These fields are deeply rooted in collaboration and networking," Puzey explained. "This exhibition is a testament to the incredible work being produced by student artists today," as obtained by USU Today.