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ALBANY – The Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition returns to the New York State Museum June 2, showcasing art created by SUNY’s top student artists from across the state.

Open until September 3, the juried exhibition features artworks chosen by individual art departments across SUNY’s 64 campuses. Included are 68 works selected from more than 316 pieces submitted for the SUNY Art Student Exhibition Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 at the State University Plaza in Albany. The traditional areas of drawing, ceramics, painting, printmaking, mixed media, photography sculpture and digitally produced works are included.

Three student artists in the Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition will receive $1,000 scholarships. Honorable Mention awards of $500 will be given to four other students. The awardees will be announced by SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher at a June 5 reception at the Museum.

“Since 2006, the New York State Museum has partnered with the State University of New York to present the Best of SUNY art exhibitions,” said State Museum Director Mark Schaming. “Again this year I am impressed by the breadth, the variety of approaches and focus of the work in the exhibition. New York State’s position is unique given the power of the public university system, the talents of these emerging artists and the synergy of the art world that is central to this state. This important exhibition allows the thousands of visitors to the State Museum a chance to see the outstanding work that is the result of these exceptional programs. It is a great tribute to the artists, faculty and families across the state who are dedicated to a public education in the visual arts.”

“The Best of SUNY art exhibition represents the finest, most creative, and influential works of art developed by SUNY students over the past year,” said Zimpher. “We are thankful that the New York State Museum has agreed to put it on display for its visitors once again this year. The chosen works are a testament to the many talented SUNY students who study the arts on our campuses and to the faculty who have helped them to capture their passions, interests, and observations in paint, photography, digital media, and more. Congratulations to all of this year’s contributors.”

The SUNY student art shows were initiated in 2002 so that the work of SUNY’s most talented student artists would be seen by a wider audience. This will be the fifth time since 2006 that the State Museum hosted the exhibition.

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the nation, educating nearly 468,000 students in 7,500 degree and certificate programs.More information is available at SUNY.

The State Museum is a program of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is free. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or visiting the Museum website.

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EDITORS NOTE: Please see attached list of SUNY Artists and their hometowns.