As we all know the 2020 NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition did not play out as expected. Yet, the show must go on. Thanks to our dedicated jury, Salvador Jimenez and Virginia Scotchie and some behind the scenes people: Ashlyn Pope, Brett Binford, Kate Vorhaus, and Eliza Weber the show did go on, just not in the traditional way.

After much deliberation, emails, zooms, texts, and any other forms of communication the results were finalized. On the first three Tuesdays of the month, the winners will be highlighted on our social media platforms.

2020 NJSE Award Winners

NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence 1st
NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence 2nd
NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence 3rd

NCECA Undergraduate Award for Excellence 1st
NCECA Undergraduate Award for Excellence 2nd
NCECA Undergraduate Award for Excellence 3rd

Aardvark Clay Purchase Award
Elmer Craig Merit Award
KBH Merit Award
Mudtools Merit Award
Smith-Sharpe Fire Brick Supply Merit Award
Studio Potter Merit Awards

Lukas Easton
Kourtney Stone
Kayla Barta

Nicole McLaughlin
Jimblosson Plati
Janet Macias

Dallas Wooten
Donte K. Hayes
Cindy Leung
Jamin Shepherd
Torie Dombrowski
Heather McLelland
Luciano Pimienta
Megan Thomas

1st Place – NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence

Lukas Easton received his BFA from University of Alaska Anchorage and is an MFA candidate at Alfred University. He is inspired by contemporary topics and issues, and he addresses difficult topics by creating a narrative within his work.

2nd Place – NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence

Kourtney Stone received her BFA and MA from Maryland Institute College of Art. She uses her art to question different types of memories that come from her hands, bones, and genetic inheritance. Her sculptures “examine the psychology of memory, perception, and the passage of time through the lens of my familial relationships.”

3rd Place – NCECA Graduate Award for Excellence

Kayla Barta received her BFA from Ball State University and is a second year MFA candidate at Indiana University. She gathers inspiration from industrial architecture and graffiti art. Using a variety of ceramic methods she created with the viewer’s personal and intimate experience in mind.