School of Art and Design Announces Winners of the Student Award Exhibition

On March 3, 2022, the twenty-fourth annual Art and Design Student Award Exhibition celebrated SDSU student artists for artistic excellence. The exhibition gives undergraduate and graduate students the unique opportunity to showcase their work and jumpstart their careers. 

Dean of the School of Art and Design, Arzu Ozkal, explains what makes the exhibition significant. 

“Being selected to a juried exhibition is a significant accomplishment, regardless of receiving an award or not,” said Ozkal. “The exhibition showcases original ideas that go beyond the project brief, with excellent craftsmanship.”

President’s Award winner Jonathan Rodley for his work Solace, shares what this recognition means to him. 

“Having the president’s office select my painting, substantiates that I’ve made interesting art and that I have the potential to make some kind of a living from my artwork,” shares Rodley “There’s a risk with choosing to make fine art—there isn’t necessarily a job in San Diego waiting for me at the completion of the MFA program—but this award at least gives me some confidence that my work is appreciated.”

Since 1999, the SDSU has honored artistic excellence and diversity at the Art and Design Student Award Exhibition.

Student Alexandra Mavrikis, winner of the President's Award for work, Three Months, shares the significance of the award exhibition. 

“I love the Student Award Exhibition as a way of seeing the work coming out of the different disciplines at the University.  We’re all so spread out we don’t always get to see what everyone is making,” said Mavrikis. “With everything I make, I’m putting part of myself out there and I have a lot of nerves and uncertainty with how the piece and by extension, I, will be received.  It’s not validation, but knowing that someone responded to the work enough to want to acquire it does help motivate me to continue to push forward with my work.” 

The SDSU campus has art in every corner and is dedicated to allowing students the opportunity to exhibit it, beyond the annual Student Award Exhibition. 

As Ozkal explains, “besides the exhibition, schools, colleges, departments, and administrative offices across campus generously provide purchase awards to student artists. You can see our students' artwork displayed in many buildings across our campus, activating and enlivening hallways, conference rooms, and offices with diverse perspectives and visual expressions. We are grateful for the support and dedication to student success.” 

All award winners are listed below. 

President's Award       
Solace, Jonathan Rodley
Three Months, Alexandra Mavrikis

Provost Ochoa 
The Paths We Take, Delilah Strukel

Dean Shannon, PSFA 
I can Hear the Music, Delilah Strukel

Interim Dean Belch, Business
A Tree for Saussure (triptych), Jonathan Rodley

Dean Casper, Arts and Letters
We Stand, Robin North

Dean Olevsky, Engineering    
Peony Vase, Katie Francis

Aztec Shops   
Flaming Hot, Matthew Bacher

Global Campus
Desert Conversations, Rianne Magbuhat

Art Council Ambassadors
Comida China, Lerida Vega

Gerald W. Fackler Awards
Mute 1, Leila Khalilzadeh Aghdami
Bathtime in Gaza, Inji Jaber
Bloom, Molly Ritz
Hidden Sun Laptop Table, Rebekah Leslie
Essentialities, Kristi Williams                        

Art Produce     
Alexander "Zim" Zimmerman

Jury Award
Leila Khalilzadeh Aghdami