University of Northern Iowa
03/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/11/2026 10:46
UNI Gallery of Art presents 2026 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art and the UNI Department of Art & Graphic Design are proud to jointly present the 2026 Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, scheduled to run from March 23 through April 16, 2026. This highly anticipated competitive exhibition showcases the outstanding recent artworks created by students currently enrolled in classes within the UNI Department of Art & Graphic Design. It represents a vital opportunity for students to have their work critically reviewed and displayed in a professional gallery setting.
The exhibition will officially open with an awards ceremony Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. The ceremony will be held in the Kamerick Art Building Auditorium, room 111. During this event, various merit awards and honorable mentions, selected by the exhibition juror, will be announced and presented to the student artists.
A crucial element of this competitive show is the involvement of a distinguished external juror, and this year, the UNI Gallery of Art is honored to welcome Julia Franklin, executive director of Mainframe Studios in Des Moines, to serve in this role.
Julia Franklin is a highly respected figure in the Iowa arts community, known for her multifaceted career as an artist, dynamic arts leader, and passionate community advocate. As the executive director of Mainframe Studios - recognized as the largest nonprofit art studio building in the country - Franklin is instrumental in supporting and fostering a vibrant creative ecosystem for over 220 working artists in downtown Des Moines. Her extensive professional background spans more than two decades, encompassing significant work in arts education, nonprofit leadership, and community development.
The 2026 competition attracted a substantial number of submissions, with 205 student entries vying for inclusion in the exhibition. After a meticulous review process, Julia Franklin made the challenging final selection, curating an exhibition of 70 works of art that represent the highest level of skill, creativity and conceptual rigor demonstrated by UNI Art & Graphic Design students. In addition to selecting the exhibited pieces, Franklin carefully chose a number of deserving artists for special recognition, including merit awards and honorable mentions, underscoring the exceptional quality present in the student body.
All events associated with the UNI Gallery of Art are free and open to the public.
The UNI Gallery of Art maintains regular hours for visitors Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, visit chas.uni.edu/gallery-art.
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