Creativity Between Classes at Art + Design’s Paper & Clay Exhibition

For students looking to take a break in between classes, the Paper & Clay exhibition is open for wandering and meandering. 

On display in the Tippetts & Eccles Galleries, Paper & Clay is an annual juried exhibition displaying works by students from 25 institutions across the country, including students from USU.

Kathy Puzey is the department head of USU Art + Design and is responsible for starting up the exhibition eight years ago. 

“We were thinking of how we could provide students an inexpensive opportunity to be part of a professional exhibition and provide that opportunity to other students, specifically in our areas, which are printmaking and ceramics, to participate,” Puzey said

Undergraduate and graduate ceramic and printmaking students send in digital images of their work every fall, from which USU faculty selects work to be displayed. A guest juror selects award winners. 

In an effort to keep the expense for participants low, the exhibition is sponsored by differential tuition, a charge added to students’ tuition and fees that varies by college.

“They only pay their initial entry fee and then the payment of shipping their works here,” Puzey said. “Then we are able to cover the return shipping costs to them and provide a reception.” 

Todd Hayes is the ceramics lab manager and instructor and collaborated with Puzey on the exhibition.

“It’s paid by students for students,” Hayes said. “It’s just kind of a beautiful thing where we’re just there to facilitate it, but it’s really student-operated, whether or not they know that.”

According to Hayes, the exhibition sets students up well for their professional careers after college. 

“Oftentimes, students don’t have the opportunity to get into exhibitions because the competition is a little bit more extreme once you get out of school,” Hayes said. “It gives them a foot in the door and the experience to apply to an exhibition, put together their images and try to get organized. It’s one of the earlier opportunities for students to see what it’s like to then, in the professional field, apply to juried exhibitions.”

Participants also get the chance to have their work viewed by reputable artists. 

“You have higher caliber artists actually selecting the award winners and things,” Puzey said.  “To be part of that show with that type of a level of a juror is a great asset for them on their CVs, especially when they’re applying for other opportunities down the road.”

Hayes enjoys the behind-the-scenes installation process, which brings the show exhibition to life. 

“Bringing the show together is actually one of my favorite parts about it,” Hayes said. “When the actual object shows up, that’s the beautiful moment — and then between the two of us, curating that space, getting it to have good flow.”

As it’s open to the public, the exhibition also opens doors for community engagement.

“It’s also great to bring this here to this campus and not only provide the opportunity for that work to be seen by our Art + Design students, but it’s open to and free to the entire community here in Logan,” Puzey said. 

The exhibition will be up until March 7, open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.