This year’s recipients of The Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize are Shawn Creeden, a MFA Contemporary Art Practice candidate (first place – $5,500), and Xi Jie Ng (Salty), a MFA Contemporary Art Practice candidate (second place – $4,000), and an undergraduate Art Practice BFA student, Jake Manning (third place – $3,000). The Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize is meant to recognize excellence in visual art created by all students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees from the School of Art + Design at Portland State University.

The jury would like to acknowledge the excellent work and achievements of three additional prize applicants by awarding Jury Commendations to Melanie Flood (MFA Contemporary Art Practice Studio, 2017), Megan Hanley (MFA Contemporary Art Practice Studio, 2017) and Kayley Berezney (MFA Contemporary Art Practice Studio, 2017).

2017 marks the fifth year of the Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize. The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation first started the Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize in 2013 with a gift to recognize the achievements of Portland State University’s School of Art + Design’s students, while also raising awareness for Portland State University’s quality art education.

The jury consists of School of Art + Design faculty and professionals in the visual art community. For students to be eligible, they must be majoring in a PSU School of Art + Design program. The recipients were honored Wednesday, October 18 in the Autzen Gallery at Portland State University.

This show will soon take place in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State University.