What is JAS?
The Juried Art Show
The Juried Art Show (JAS, pronounced "jazz") is an annual exhibition of artwork from the undergraduate students of the University of Guelph's Studio Art program. Run annually since 1968, JAS is entirely student-run, and is one of the oldest art shows of its kind in Canada. It is a long-cherished tradition of the University, a capstone of community celebration for the school's emerging artists, and platform for professional development.
JAS takes place on campus every year, coinciding with the College Royal public open house. Members of the Guelph community and the public at large are welcome to the exhibition, which traditionally fills the walls of Zavitz Hall, the school's former Animal Husbandry Building, and the Alexander Hall drawing studio (room 185).
On Friday, the day after students install their works, three professional jurors spend the day evaluating each of the artworks. After much discussion & deliberation, the jurors select the Top Ten works, as well as ten Honourable Mentions. Faculty and staff select department-based awards for participating students who have excelled throughout their studies. As well, Wyndham Arts generously selects & awards three prizes. Other prizes are handed out by the Specialized Studio class and the JAS coordinators. Each of the awards are handed out in the evening at the JAS Awards Ceremony.
The Juried Art Show is a member of the local Guelph Arts Council, and the two JAS coordinators are members of the executive committee for the University of Guelph's Fine Arts Network.
Jr. JAS
Junior JAS is a JAS event specifically for first and second year students. (Second year students can choose to submit to either show.) Junior JAS works much like JAS, except students exhibit works in the Alexander Hall drawing studio (room 185) and there is no fee to participate. The show is juried by University's MFA students, and cash prizes are awarded at the evening Awards Ceremony.
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction is the main annual fundraiser for JAS. Each February, the Studio Art faculty and students are invited to donate artwork, which is auctioned off to the public at a party hosted in downtown Guelph. Fifty percent of the revenue from each student work sold goes to running JAS, while the other half goes back to the student -though students may opt to donate a higher percentage to JAS.
Awards Ceremony
The JAS Awards Ceremony is a celebration of the incredible work created by the students in the Studio Art program. It is a lively event for the University's Studio Art community to gather together, students along with faculty & staff, to recognize undergraduate students who have excelled.
On Friday evening, the day after the artworks are installed, the two JAS coordinators host the awards ceremony. The jurors present their choices for the Top Ten artworks, as well as ten Honourable Mentions. The Top Ten receive significant cash prizes, first prize valued at $1000, and Honourable Mentions each receive a generously donated year-long subscription to Border Crossings magazine. Faculty & staff hand out a series of department awards to participating students who have demonstrated excellence in their work throughout the year. The MFAs jury Jr. JAS, awarding several prizes to participating first and second year students. Other awards are provided by Wyndham Arts, the Specialized Studio class, and the JAS coordinators.
After the Awards Ceremony, everyone is invited to gather for a celebration at Brass Taps.
The Top Ten Show
The Top Ten Show is an exhibit of the ten award-winning artworks selected by the JAS jurors. The exhibit is held in either Zavitz gallery or Boarding House Gallery for a week. Students and community members are encouraged to come to the show opening to celebrate with the juror-selected Top Ten JAS award-winning students. The Top Ten Show is the final JAS event of the academic year.