On April 30, the inaugural Art Walk was held at Black Hills State University to give insight into what is created during the spring semester

The Art Walk was created to show all the art and photography students’ work in one day, and to allow for more recognition of all art forms. Assistant professor of art, Desy Schoenewies,

Receptions were held in the Dub-C studios in the lower level of Wenona Cook Hall, the second and third floors of Woodburn Hall, the E.Y. Berry Library, the lower and main levels of Jonas Hall, the second floor of Meier Hall, Pangburn Studios, the Student Union and the Ruddell Gallery.

Participating students were art majors and students who took an art class in the spring 2015 semester. The Art Club, the Dub-C studios students, and the art gallery management class put the event together. A number of members from Shutter Buzz, the campus photography club, also assisted in putting together the event.

Jenna Kessler, an art and education major, was able to provide some art for the senior art show, held at the Matthews Opera House art gallery , as well for the Art Walk. Kessler saw the senior art show as motivating. “It was a really, really exciting moment for me, having my family, closest friends and peers as well as professors come and encourage that. I also did manage to sell my first two pieces of art.”

This year the BHSU Art Club received the Board of Regents award for academic excellence at the Student Volunteer awards on April 13. They have developed a strong community and a place where people can come together to workshop ideas and create projects together, according to English and art major Chanel Wiggan.

“We’ve always have had some small numbers but we do always manage to get some pretty big stuff done. It’s just because everyone gets along and everyone is putting in an effort to get along,” said Wiggan.

Art Walk attendees were able to participate as well. A chair was set up outside of the Dub-C studios, and people could paint it however they liked. The chair was donated by the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City and will be part of a silent auction in the fall that will benefit young art students.

Some of the art was moving, some art had a clear message but all of the art showcased this year were created to expose true talent.