Hosted by the Briar Cliff University Art Program

The Art Program is planning to host a High School Art Critique Day. This event will welcome 60 high school students interested in art to Briar Cliff University for a morning of learning, discussion, and celebration.

Following the recent Siouxland Art Educators Exhibition in the Clausen Art Gallery, this event is the next step in supporting our local art teachers and creative community. It will extend our outreach by engaging their students and inviting them to experience our campus, studios, and gallery firsthand.

Event Overview

The event will take place in the Clausen Art Gallery and North Hall Studios. Students will arrive in the morning and spend roughly two hours on campus. Each student will bring one artwork, which will be displayed in the gallery as part of a temporary exhibition. The event will include an introduction to how critiques work, followed by a guided college-level critique of the students’ own work. Afterward, a reception will be held in the gallery for students, families, and friends. There is also the possibility of turning the exhibition into a juried show with awards, though this has not been finalized.

Tentative Schedule

• 8:30–9:00 a.m. – Student arrival and check-in at the Clausen Art Gallery, brief welcome from the Art Program.
• 9:00–11:00 a.m. – Critique and workshop rotation. Students will be divided into small groups. One group will stay in the gallery for the critique experience, beginning with an overview of critique methods before a college-level critique of their work. The other group will go to North Hall to work on a collaborative art project led by our Art Education students. The groups will rotate halfway through.
• 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Closing remarks and reception in the gallery for students, teachers, families, and friends.

Student Requirements

• Each student will submit one completed artwork for the critique and exhibition.
• Students are expected to participate in both the critique and the collaborative workshop experience.
• Teachers will assist with coordinating submissions and transportation.

This event continues our effort to build lasting relationships with local educators while showcasing the strength of our art program and facilities.