APSU's 58th Annual Juried Student Exhibition Opens at The New Gallery

The competitive show honors outstanding student artists and their creative work from the past academic year.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:06pm

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of various art supplies like paintbrushes, palettes, and sketchpads repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the energy and creativity of a student art exhibition.The 58th annual Juried Student Exhibition at Austin Peay State University celebrates the creativity and innovation of the next generation of artists and designers.Clarksville Today

Austin Peay State University's Department of Art + Design is hosting the 58th Annual Juried Student Exhibition from April 13-29 in The New Gallery, with a reception on April 29. This competitive juried show features 55 works from 45 student artists selected from 222 submissions, and the winning artwork will be added to APSU's Permanent Collection.

Why it matters

The exhibition provides students with the opportunity to participate in a professional-level art show, where their work is selected by an outside juror, emulating real-world art exhibition practices. It celebrates the creativity and hard work of the department's outstanding student artists.

The details

The exhibition is free and open to the public during The New Gallery's hours. This year's juror is Cesar Rivera, an award-winning communication designer who currently serves as the chief design officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rivera says the selected works 'highlight different areas of study and symbolize the critical thinking, risk-taking, and creative curiosity needed to succeed in today's very competitive creative industries.'

  • The exhibition runs from April 13-29, 2026.
  • The opening reception is on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 6 p.m.

The players

Cesar Rivera

An award-winning communication designer who currently serves as the chief design officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He is the juror for this year's exhibition.

Department of Art + Design, Austin Peay State University

The department hosting the 58th Annual Juried Student Exhibition, with support from the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts.

The New Gallery

The gallery space located inside the Art + Design Building at Austin Peay State University, where the exhibition is being held.

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What they’re saying

“The students produced a unique body of work that represents the Department of Art + Design's commitment to craft and creativity. The work chosen highlights different areas of study and symbolizes the critical thinking, risk-taking, and creative curiosity needed to succeed in today's very competitive creative industries. The hope is for the show to inspire visitors to explore what is possible through art + design.”

— Cesar Rivera, Juror

The takeaway

This annual juried exhibition showcases the exceptional talent and creativity of Austin Peay State University's art and design students, providing them with valuable real-world experience in a professional exhibition setting. The diverse range of selected works highlights the department's commitment to fostering innovation and artistic growth among its students.