02 May Beyond the Canvas: Student Art Show Celebrates Creativity and Expression
- ASI’s Student Art Show presents various art showcasing the overall themes of family and animals.
- The opening reception welcomed participating artists and students to indulge in the many mediums of art.
- Artist spotlight: first place winners share their stories and inspiration behind each artwork they submitted.
Associated Students Inc. hosted the opening reception for its quarterly Student Art Show on April 1 at the Titan Student Union Center, featuring pieces centered on themes of family and animals. The artwork remained on display through April 30 for students and the public to enjoy. With a total of $3,000 in cash prizes, the event celebrates both artistic talent and the diverse voices of the campus community.
For the spring 2025 semester, student artist winners in the Traditional category include Alexis Hisgen (first-place), Daniel Gaddas (second-place) and Anne Reisig (third-place).
The 3D Media category student winners include Lucy Zheng (first-place), Vicky Chiu (second-place) and Jessica Cayetano (third-place).
In the Digital category student winners include Xareni Merino Rite (first-place), Erika Melara (second-place) and Clark Meregillano (third-place).
From Heart to Art: Students Shine in Art Show
Students and artists at opening reception. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
More than 30 expressive pieces were entered into the art show based on the family/animal category, each competing for a chance to win varied amounts of prize money. With the first-place winner taking home $250, second place winning $150 and third place securing $100, ASI opens the door to every student on campus with no major or specific experience to join this artistic competition.
“My biggest advice to students that want to participate in the future is to just do it,” said Art Programs and Exhibits Assistant Jordan Piquette. “A lot of artists are uncertain about joining, or what to submit but there’s no harm in trying.”
Held twice each academic year, the art show gives artists extra creative freedom in the fall semester by not assigning a specific theme.
In just a few recent years, the student art show has made many adjustments and changes to keep improving the experience. This 24-25 academic year, ASI added more mediums for students to participate in, including traditional art, digital art and 3D Media. Additionally, judges included staff, faculty and the Department of Visual Arts based on their experience and knowledge in the art field.
A Suit-Wearing Cat & Alexis Hisgen Take First Place
Traditional category first-place winning piece “Cat and Fish. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
A vibrant and whimsical oil painting by CSUF graphic design senior Alexis Hisgen won first place in the Traditional category with its bold colors, unique subject and technique.
Alexis’s winning piece has been a work in progress for nearly a decade. “About eight years ago, I started working with a concept of a cat wearing a suit,” Hisgen shared. “So far, I’ve recreated and built on the concept every four years to test my progress and creativity. I was happy with this rendition and thought I’d take my shot at the art show.”
Art, for Hisgen has always been more than just visual expression- its personal.
“I have always dealt with strong emotions and feelings with my art,” Hisgen explained. “A lot of my works are self-portraits that reflect how I feel about myself at that time or what I was challenged with.”
Hisgen’s art and career dreams seem to have a lot in store.
“I would love to discuss and share more of my art with anyone willing to see or listen,” said Hisgen. “My goal in the next year is to have a solo or small group show, which I plan to do at the new CSUF galleries if allowed.”
Hisgen explored themes of evolution and growth through her painting by presenting her perspective as an artist.
Zheng Breaks the Mold with Award-Winning Vase
Lucy Zheng displaying her art “Ensnared”. / Credit ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
Third-year Illustration student Lucy Zheng presented a ceramic vase that explores the intersection of nature and memory. The piece titled “Ensnared”, is a rounded base formed with clay coils, slab-cutouts and detailed wings on top. After its initial bisque firing, the vase was painted with underglazes and finished with a glossy clear glaze.
The inspiration behind Zheng’s piece came from our very own Arboretum on campus. The birds flying and fighting in midair with the organic colors, and trees planted the idea in her head. The movement, transformation and shapes that these elements reflected inspired the concept of generational cycles. As a Chinese American artist, Zheng is constantly incorporating Chinese painting and techniques into her work.
Zheng’s Courage Leads to Big Win
Instead of waiting for her “magnum opus” Zheng took her chance at the student art show to show the world her skills. Even though she’s more comfortable working in 2D, she went out of her comfort zone, resulting in a first-place ribbon and creative growth.
“I’m happy I took the chance,” said Zheng. “I’m glad there is a space on campus for students to show their work that’s outside a classroom.”
Most of her inspirations come from other 2D traditional and digital artists like Feifei Ruan and Lin Sun. Zheng is hoping to keep working to develop her art to cultivate a variety of styles that she can share with the world.
“I hope people can feel the emotions of the piece, even if they have their own interpretation,” Zheng expressed. “The best part about art is hearing what other people bring to the artwork based on their experiences.”
For this artist, sharing work publicly is both vulnerable and essential. They hope that viewers can connect with the emotions embedded in the piece—finding their own stories within the abstract forms.
The Art Behind the Artist: A Closer Look at Parker Heider
“Do you want to go back? [Yes]” piece and artist Parker Heider. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
Parker Heider, a fourth-year sociology major at CSUF submitted a piece in the traditional category. On this canvas, she chose to do a vibrant oil painting that was titled “Do You Want to Go Back? [yes].”
A novice to oil painting, Heider carefully guided her brush, letting each stroke steer her creativity as she embraced the process despite the challenge of mastering clean, straight edges.
“I knew I wanted to submit a piece involving my little brother Grant,” she shared. “I had a great childhood growing up, my parents and brother were the best people I could have asked for”
The focal point of the piece is a bold red Nintendo DSi, which serves as the frame for the painting. On the top frame is a playful image of herself and her brother, captured laughing and making silly faces. Below, the bottom frame depicts their old family home, complete with a bike in the driveway- a symbol of the childhood memories Heider has been reflecting on recently. The piece serves as a tribute to the nostalgia and warmth of her past.
From Family Games to Fine Art
Her childhood upbringing and love for pop culture meshed to reflect her nostalgia towards being a child again. Spending hours on the Nintendo DSi with her brother reminded her about her collection of art pieces from the board game ‘Clue.’”
“My family and I have spent dozens of hours playing that together; they influence a lot of my work,” Heider said.
Heider is deeply grateful for the guidance of her former high school teacher, Richard Wallace, a CSUF alumnus, and her painting professor, Jordan Sabolick. While she has a passion for art, she doesn’t envision it as her future career. Nonetheless, Heider remains motivated by other areas in her life and will never stop creating art.
“If your art starts a conversation, you’ve succeeded,” said Heider. “Thanks, CSUF ASI for the opportunity.”
Heider expressed a powerful perspective on the value of art as a means of communication.
Capturing Moments, Creating Memories
Arts and Exhibits team at the opening reception. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
The success of the Student Art Show is measured by the total quantity of pieces submitted as well as how many pieces from each category are submitted. In recent years, there has been an increase in Digital and 3D Media Art submissions, positive feedback for the Arts & Exhibition program in the TSU.
“It’s a great way to get involved and a wonderful opportunity to see your art on display in the TSU,” Events and Programs Supervisor Megan Duffy said.
Audience engagement has been strong, with visitors expressing admiration behind each piece. One touching moment came from a student dropping off their artwork, who remarked participating in the show had been a bucket list goal before graduating this spring.
“It’s exciting to know this program positively contributed to a student’s last semester at CSUF,” Duffy shared. “They will be able to take this memory with them after graduation.”
Moments like these remind all that art is not just about technique and winning the contest, but about connection, reflection and the memories carried forward.
Next Up: Fall Showcase
Second-place winning piece in the traditional category, “Fatherhood”. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
The ASI student art show demonstrates the ample perspectives that student artists on campus experience. ASI continues to harbor a space for creativity and expression that allows Titan students to share with the world.
The Fall Art show will be open for submissions this upcoming fall!
Follow @asicsuf on social media to know when the submission period begins.
Students can visit the ASI Services Webpage to get more information and submit requests for future art shows.