The Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) is hosting its annual student art exhibition, featuring works created during the 2025-2026 academic year. The exhibition includes ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital photography, audio and video, graphic design, print production, and digital art. An opening awards ceremony will take place on May 1, 2026, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., with cash merit awards in categories such as 2D art, 3D art, digital media, and commercial graphic design. Additional honors include the President’s Choice Purchase Award and a Juror’s Choice Award, judged by former PSAD director and photography instructor Paul Aho. The exhibition runs from May 1 to 8 at the Bill Ford Gallery in Paducah.
This event matters because it highlights the creative achievements of emerging visual artists at a local art school, providing them with public recognition and professional development opportunities. The awards, including a purchase award that places a student's work in a permanent college collection, help launch young artists' careers and strengthen the local arts community. It also underscores the role of regional art schools in fostering talent and engaging the public with contemporary student art.