PHOTO: Cole Knoernschild won first place for his piece titled “A Great Divide.” | Joshua Rhine photo
ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas — Ouachita Baptist University’s Cade Knoernschild, a junior art and education double major from Little Rock, Arkansas, earned first place in the university’s 2025 Juried Student Art & Design Show with his piece titled “A Great Divide.”
Winners were announced during an opening reception held on April 23 in Mabee Fine Arts Center’s Hammons Art Gallery. This year’s juror was Jeremy Honea, art director for I am Second, an organization that partners with people to share first-person accounts of their spiritual journeys. Sponsored by the Ouachita Art Club, the exhibit features the works of 14 students – including Knoernschild – and will be on display through Oct. 4, 2025. It is free and open to the public.
“‘A Great Divide’ is one of three pieces in a series about my struggles as an artist and a college student,” said Knoernschild. “It revolves around the idea that we must continue to hold ourselves together through struggles and challenges. The main subject captures the image of a war plane dropping a bomb onto an already divided city, emphasizing the idea of withstanding the many trials we face.”
“Winning the show was an honor, but also a lot more than that. Throughout the process, I was surrounded by a community of extraordinary artists. The art department is filled with so many students and faculty who display diversity and talent through our journey.”
There were more than 70 submissions for the competition, which was organized by student chairs Hannah Schulze, a senior graphic design and communications/integrated communications double major from Melissa, Texas, and Bryce Benson, a junior graphic design major from Forney, Texas.
“This year’s show feels unique,” said Schulze. “Many of the selected works are from a series, which adds a narrative element to the show. Our juror took great care in his selections and gave thoughtful feedback. Chairing this show has been such a meaningful experience.”
Schulze placed second with “Guiding Light,” and Natalia Zamora, a junior graphic design major from Cochabamba, Bolivia, placed third with “BOUNDLESS Music Festival Campaign.” Other works selected for the exhibit are:
- “Breakfast at Al’s” and “Guiding Light” by Schulze
- “Petals” and “Why is Texas Hold ‘em so Popular?” by Benson
- “Jack in the Box Series” by Chau Tran, a senior graphic design and communications & media/integrated communications double major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- “Get Out There” and “Dayglow Series” by Reece Kailey, a sophomore studio art and communications & media double major from Conway, Ark.
- “Solden” and “Holy Smokes” by Madeline King, a junior art and English double major from Arkadelphia, Ark.
- “An Unsatisfied Hunger,” “Before They Wither” and “A Great Divide” by Knoernschild
- “BOUNDLESS – Music Festival Campaign” by Zamora
- “Spire,” “12 O’clock Rush,” “The Scale of Man” and “Vienna Travel Magazine Layout” by Isabel King, a senior graphic design major
- “Stained Glass Delphinium” by Kate Cheshier, a sophomore graphic design and Christian studies double major from Spicewood, Texas
- “Untitled” and “Untitled” by Emily Yokem, a sophomore art and English literature double major from Shreveport, La.
- “The Mind” by Malia Gattis, a junior art and biology double major from Oak Point, Texas
- “Just as Special” by Parker Raines, a graphic design and communications & media/visual media & film double major from Little Rock, Ark.
- “Flower Field” by Victoria Duran, a sophomore graphic design major from Cortez, Colo.
- “Blurred Thoughts” by Taylor Youtsey, a senior art education major from Prosper, Texas
The Rosemary Adams Department of Art & Design regularly exhibits the work of professional artists in addition to the work of its students. Offering degrees in art education, graphic design and studio art, the department provides an environment devoted to nurturing creative and critical thinking skills, individual artistic expression and spiritual growth within the framework of a Christian-based liberal arts program that balances tradition and innovation. Learn more at obu.edu/art-design.