The 13th PCCC Juried Student Art Exhibition Awards Reception

Art students, faculty, friends and families gathered on April 23, 2026 at the Passaic County Community College Broadway Gallery in historic downtown Paterson for the 13^th Juried Student Art Exhibition awards reception.     

Curated by Professor Azi Amiri (Studio Arts) and  Professor Jill Sluka (Graphic Design), the exhibition included 34 works by 17 student artists and featured traditional watercolor and acrylic paintings to pencil drawings, digital photography, gouache, mixed media and more.

This year’s exhibit was judged by Melika Saeeda, an illustrator based in Canada who has illustrated over a dozen picture books, exhibited internationally, and is the recipient of the Toronto Art Council Award (2018), among other recognitions.

“It was an honor to judge the Passaic County Community College Juried Student Art Exhibition,” said Ms. Saeeda, whose sensitive commentary on each of the award winning works follows below.

Juried award levels this year were First Place, Second Place, and Third Place. There was also a People’s Choice Award selected by viewers of the exhibit who voted for their favorite artwork over the course of several weeks. 

Awards were presented by Professor Walter Behr, chair of PCCC’s Fine and Performing Arts Department, along with Professor Amiri and Professor Sluka.

First Place went to Megan Spliedt for her composite photograph, Homecoming which was also the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Judge’s Comments
“I’m drawn to this work for the way it blends interior and exterior spaces. The window becomes a threshold where both worlds meet, existing in an in-between state where the scene feels both present and distant at the same time. This sense of ‘being there and not being there’ creates a quiet, contemplative atmosphere that stays with the viewer.”

Rodrigo Restrepo took Second Place for his drawing My Father’s Truck.
Judge’s Comments
“This beautiful black-and-white pencil drawing captures a quiet and intimate moment with great sensitivity,” said Ms. Saeeda. “The use of pencil allows for subtle shading and texture, giving depth to the scene and evoking a strong sense of memory and emotion. A thoughtful and well-executed work.”

The Third Place award was shared by two artists. Mikella Vicuna was named for the watercolor painting Self Portrait.
Judge’s Comments
“This vibrant portrait immediately captures attention through its bold and expressive use of color. The contrast between the warm background and the bright greens and pinks creates a lively, energetic atmosphere. The stylized features—especially the glasses, eyes, and textured hair—give the figure a strong sense of personality and individuality. There is a playful confidence in the use of color and line, making the portrait feel both imaginative and expressive. A striking and memorable work.”

Third Place also went to Nathan MacCracken for his narrative triptych painting, Jump The Roof/Burn The Building/DitchThe Car.
Judge’s Comments
“This series stands out for its highly expressive and stylized cityscapes. The forms feel dynamic and personal, moving beyond realism to capture the energy of the city. The addition of a small poem layered into the work makes the pieces especially distinctive, creating a dialogue between image and text that adds depth and invites the viewer to read and see the work at the same time.”

The in-person exhibition will remain in the Broadway Gallery on PCCC’s Paterson campus until May 23 and is open to the public. Entrance is at Broadway and Memorial Drive. Admission is free and hours are Monday to Friday,  9:00 am – 9:00 pm and Saturday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.  

The virtual exhibition is available at Juried Student Art Exhibition 2026 – PCCC  where visitors can also see the juried student exhibitions of prior years as well.

Learn more about PCCC’s Studio Arts program and Graphic Design program

Written by Linda Telesco
Photos by PCCC Marketing and Communications