2023 New Acquisitions

In 1987, the Plemmons Student Union began purchasing works of art created by Appalachian State University students and faculty. This became our largest permanent art collection, the Appalachian Artists Collection. Each year since its creation, the collection has been enhanced by purchasing additional works of art from our student artists at the annual Art + Design Expo and the B.F.A. Senior Shows. If you take a stroll through the building, you will see artwork by our students and alumni filling the hallways, meeting rooms, and lounges. And, if you stop by the Counseling Center or the Career Development Center, you will see some pieces from our Appalachian Artists Collection on loan through our new loan program that allows increased enjoyment of our collection in other high-traffic areas.

A committee of faculty from the university’s Art Department, staff from a variety of departments in the Student Union, and students working as the Looking Glass Gallery Curator, Art Assistant, and Art Collections Manager have once again selected original works of art to be purchased and accessioned into our Appalachian Artists Collection. Sincere thanks go to the Plemmons Student Union Art Committee for their dedication to serving as jurors and advisors to the Looking Glass Gallery and our permanent art collections.

Members on the Art Committee include:

• Students Reagan Bullock (PSU Looking Glass Gallery Curator), Murphy McConnell (PSU Art Assistant), and Samantha Oleschuk (PSU Art Collections Manager)
• Art Department Faculty Scott Ludwig and Jody Servon
• Plemmons Student Union Director Brad Vest, Executive Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer Ginger Bryant, the Office of International
• Education’s Education Abroad Director Chrissie Faupel, and the Intercultural Student Affairs’ Director Lamont Sellers who has once again graciously donated funds from the ISA Office to our annual purchase awards.

These committee members voted to purchase art from this year’s Art + Design Expo. These artworks, along with their artists, will now and forever be featured and celebrated in our dynamic Appalachian Artists Collection that honors the creative talents of so many current and former Appalachian students. For the next year, these works of art will be displayed on the New Acquisitions Wall across from Grandfather Mountain Ballroom on the first floor of the Student Union.

Recipients of this year’s Plemmons Student Union Purchase Awards are:

• Ginsy Barnes for Sugar Magnolia
• Erica Adams for EYE AM FEELING SQUEEZED
• Ashlynd Scavotto for Breaking Point

In addition to our purchase awards tonight, we will be awarding two honorable mentions with the intent to purchase their work. Though their pieces are listed as not for sale, we are interested in purchasing them, selecting another piece in their body of work, or commissioning a piece for the building.

Recipients of this year’s honorable mentions with intent to purchase are:

• Shania Herrera for Out of Bounds
• Bubbles Liqueur for Serving Face Skirt

Lastly, because choosing which works of art to accession into the Appalachian Artists Collection is a truly challenging endeavor, especially when all of the art is of such fantastic merit, the PSU Art Committee wishes to recognize additional outstanding works of art with honorable mention awards. These honorable mentions are accompanied by generous donations of $50 gift certificates from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff.

Recipients of this year’s honorable mentions are:

• Juliana Maurer for You Were Supposed to Hold Me
• Julia Boyce & Kaylyn Ngo for The Garlic & Onion Cookbook
• Maria Smith for King series (#2 & 3)
• Lela Arruza for Vessel 5,952
• Katie Beach for True Colors

2023 Plemmons Student Union Purchase Awards

These artworks are now a part of the Appalachian Artists Collection, a permanent art collection in the Plemmons Student Union. These pieces are now on display on the New Acquisitions Wall across from Grandfather Mountain Ballroom on the first floor of the building.