The Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) hosted the 2025 Statewide Annual Artist & Juror Reception on Saturday, Sept. 20. The event celebrated Utah artists and their contributions across painting, sculpture and installation.
The evening began at the SUU Hunter Alumni Center with the Jurors’ Talks and Awards Ceremony before moving to SUMA for the official reception.
The Statewide Annual is one of Utah’s most recognized exhibitions, designed to showcase the talent and creativity of local artists.
The exhibition rotates between three themes each year—painting & sculpture, mixed media & works on paper and craft, photography & video. This year’s focus was on painting, sculpture and installation.
Juror of New York and Nancy Zastudil of Albuquerque led the awards ceremony, sharing their perspectives on the entries.
“We were impressed by the wide range of mediums and how each artist approached storytelling through their work,” Zastudil said.
Awards were presented to standout pieces. The Best in Show honor went to “Chorus (lynne)” by Christopher Lynn, a sound-based installation using guitar amplifiers and electronics.
Juror’s Awards were given to “Stress Flesh” by Aziza Abdieva and “From where the sun is rising …” by Ariel Wilson & Matt Kowal. Honorable Mentions included “Breathing” by Collin Bradford and “Congregational Hymn (Acidbath Revival)” by Alexis Rausch.
Following the ceremony, guests gathered at SUMA for the reception. Attendees were able to explore the galleries, meet the artists and celebrate the creativity on display.
“We are honored to have Marela Zacarías and Nancy Zastudil as jurors this year, as they bring a vast array of knowledge to the selection process,” the SUMA staff shared.
The reception also highlighted the importance of connecting the community with contemporary art.
“The Artist Reception gives everyone a chance to engage directly with both the artworks and the jurors, culminating in the awards presentation and jurors’ talks,” noted an organizer.
The 2025 Statewide Annual Exhibition remains on display at SUMA until Sept. 27, offering visitors one last chance to see the remarkable work of Utah artists before the show closes.
