Conceived and initiated in 2005, The Rites of Passage exhibits were developed in order to support student excellence by offering a public venue for the display of advanced ‘creative research’; to promote young artists as they transition into their professional careers; and to bring the positive creative energies of academic institutions together in one place.
With this fourth annual installment of the Rites series, Manifest now offers a $300 best of show award to encourage and support excellence at this career level. Rites was open to participation by students graduating or expecting to graduate in 2007, 2008, or 2009.
Over 360 submissions were received from 47 students from 25 colleges. The final selection includes 22 works by eleven artists from eight college programs.
The artists are:
Jen Adrion, Columbus College of Art and Design
Liz Beard, Miami University
Amanda Foran, Auburn University
Hei B. Ahn*, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Joanna Lord, Miami University
Michael Meadors*, East Carolina University
Jahaziel Minor, Art Academy of Cincinnati
Whitney Sage, Miami University
John Sloan, Western Washington University
Ruth Wartman*, Art Academy of Cincinnati
Stephen Williams*, Bowling Green State University
* 2007 graduate
Rites of Passage includes artists worth following who are looking deeply and creating profoundly. Their work challenges condescending stereotypes of a “student exhibition” and gives the viewer the experience of art that is both contemporary and sophisticated. We are proud to showcase this extraordinary group of emerging artists as they launch into their promising future.
