Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition Showcases Emerging Talent at UNO

March 11th, 2025

The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s art scene continues to highlight the talent within its community, offering students, faculty, and alumni a platform to share their work. The UNO Art Gallery, known for its year-round exhibitions, is currently hosting the Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, open to the public through April 4.

The exhibition features a diverse range of artwork from students in Art Education, Art History, Fine Arts, and Studio Arts. Selected from over 200 submissions, the pieces on display include oil and acrylic paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and more—each telling a unique story.

Among the featured artists is Hayden Johnson, an oil painter whose work explores themes of femininity and nature. Johnson, who began drawing as a child, draws inspiration from her experiences growing up as a woman in the rural Midwest.

Fellow artist Kiara Hernandez Padron showcases her textile-based works, continuing in the artistic tradition of her father. Her art focuses on the struggles faced by Latina women and her personal experiences growing up in a religious environment.

Clarissa Weitzel, an interdisciplinary artist, experiments with various mediums, including ceramics, sculpture, and oil painting. Recently, she has incorporated makeup, such as lipstick, into her work. Many of her pieces explore themes of womanhood and the body, using unconventional materials to convey deeper messages.

The Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition is on display at the UNO Art Gallery, located on the first floor of the Weber Fine Arts Building. A closing reception and awards ceremony will be held on April 4 at 5 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.