The First Annual Student Art Exhibit took place last Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Villanova Room of Connelly Center. On display were more than 60 pieces, all submitted by student artists. The event was put together through the cooperation of V-Paint and Campus Activities Team.

Although 60 pieces were shown, students submitted 86 in total. They included photos, still-life pieces and portraits and showcased the talent of many University students. The pieces included in the show were selected by five judges, culled from University faculty and staff, as well as a teacher from a local district and one student.

The exhibit was the brainchild of two students, Kirsten McAuliffe and Michael Raysor, who wanted to find an outlet for students with artistic talent.

The two went to Nikki Hornsberry, assistant director of Student Development for Programming at CAT, who helped them set up the event.

Student artists were contacted and asked to submit pieces based on their participation in separate art clubs founded by McAuliffe and Raysor.

The Villanova Art Project is McAuliffe’s group that met weekly and worked on pieces together.

“It was a group of people who would meet with no real commitment,” McAuliffe said. “We all ended up teaching each other.”

Raysor’s own art club members were contacted as well, and a committee of students was formed for the exhibit. V-Paint was created specifically for the event and stands for “Villanovans promoting art innovation and talent.”

The artists in the exhibit had the choice of selling their pieces to those interested. They could negotiate whatever price they wanted and would receive all the profit.

The viewers of the exhibit voted on their favorite piece, which was purchased by the University to be placed in the newly renovated Good Counsel basement, called Wildcat Cove.

The viewer’s choice winner was Kristin Yang’s “Fill Me with Life.” Honorable mention went to Nicole Dinten, Evan Slagle and Stephanie Daniels. The judges’ choice was Gisela Camba’s “The Refugee.”

McAuliffe and Raysor were both overwhelmed by the turnout and said they hope that this is the first of many student art exhibits.