AUK Announces Winners of Fifth Bi-Annual "President's Exhibition" Competition

The American University of Kuwait announced the winners of the student competition for the Spring 2013 President's Exhibition. The winning artwork was selected from the "best of the best" student class work from the previous semester. All entries were submitted to the competition by the AUK ART and Graphic Design professors. The Exhibition includes painting, drawing, graphic design, cut paper, and photography work juried for creativity, originality, and technique.

The student work chosen for the current exhibition was made in classes taught by AUK Art and Graphic Design professors Sharon Orleans Lawrence, Maryam Hosseinnia, George Bauer, and William Andersen. In addition, there was work included in the exhibition that was created by Professors Sharon Orleans Lawrence, William Andersen, Maryam Hosseinnia, and Antonia Stamos.

The 19 Students with winning artwork are:

Aisha Jiran, Manal Adra, Batoul Al Mesri, May Yassin, Aya Kandel,Maitha Al Jassmi, Dalal Al-Mahdi, Sayed Hashim Altabtabai, Abdulrahman ben Essa, Assem Malallah, Fajer Al Tifouni, Hassan Abdozzahraei, Noor Al Hamad, Aesha Borahma, Anwar Behbehani, Noor Al-Sabah, Moustafa El Khashab, Nadia Abdullah, and Rawan Al-Hussaini.

Winners received certificates signed by AUK Interim President and Provost Dr. Nizar Hamzeh.They and their parents were honored at an opening reception, where Dr. Hamzeh delivered his opening remarks, stressing the importance of holding these gatherings that bring the President, the students and their parents together in a family atmosphere to celebrate the work of the talented students.

The current exhibition will be displayed in the President's Office for six months, on view for the University, as well as dignitaries and other honored visitors to the University.

"As always, it is a pleasure to present the best work of the previous semester in the Art and Graphic Design Department. The President's Exhibition is especially close to my heart, because the faculty chooses the best work from their classes to enter in the competition; often the students don't even know their work is being considered until they are notified that they have won. It's always good to honor students who excel, and we appreciate the enthusiastic support we have received from Interim President Nizar Hamzeh," Said Professor Sharon Orleans Lawrence, Chair of the Art and Graphic Design Department

The AUK President's Exhibition is an excellent opportunity for students, increasing student pride in execution, rewarding excellent work, and providing a valuable accomplishment on student resumes as they graduate and go from AUK to graduate school or the workplace.



Student visitors examining the artwork presented by graphic designer students


Graphic Design student, Batoul Al-Mesri


Graphic Design student, Moustafa El Khashab with Professor of Art History, Dr. George Bauer


Artwork done by graphic design students and faculty members


A group photo of graphic design students and faculty members, with the AUK Interim President and Provost Dr. Nizar Hamzeh


From Left: Graphic Design student, Aisha Borahma, Professor Maryam Hosseinnia, and Graphic Design student Amel Omar


Artwork done by graphic design students and faculty members


From Left: Senior Graphic Designer students, Batoul Al-Mesri and Anwar Behbehani


Graphic Design student, Rawan Al-Hussaini and Interim President Hamzeh


Professor Sharon Lawrence and Graphic Design student Aya Kandel


Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Art History & Studio Arts, Dr. Sharon Lawrence


Some of the student's artwork


Some of the student's artwork


Some of the student's artwork