By JORDAN MARSHALL

Staff Writer

So, what is there to do in Ruston?

Besides going to Huddle House and the many trips to Wal-Mart, students can step out into the world of art, and the Student Art Show is the prefect place to start.

Sarah Masterson, a senior interior design major, said she has never been to an art show at the university and was very impressed.

"I know the people that submitted their work, and I had no idea that they were that talented," Masterson said.

The 77 art works range from core (basic art classes) to graphic design, photography and studio.

The show opened April 15 with a presentation of awards and a reception for students and faculty.

Fourteen students received honorable mention for their pieces, four students won the "best of" awards and received $50.

Mary Drew-Jones, a freshman studio art major, won best in core for her work "Faucet." Clay McKaskle, a junior graphic design major, won the best in graphic design for his piece "Rudiments." Colin Todd, a junior photography major, won best in photography for his work "Passing #3" and Lucas Patterson, a senior graphic design major, won best in studio for his work "Sunset."

Jude Landry, a graduate student of art, won the best in graduate award for his untitled piece. Landry received $100.

Justin Delatte, a senior photography major, won the biggest prize, best in show, and $200.

"I am completely shocked," Delatte said.

Delatte said this is the first time he has entered the show.

"It is an attempt to get my stuff out, and this is a good place to start," Delatte said.

Dan Braswell, a senior studio art major, entered two pieces in the art show for the first time, too.

Braswell said his "Unearthed Pieces" was an assignment where he used nontraditional utensils, like plastic wrap and roofing tar.

Braswell used "Remember All the Work?" in his experimental drawing class.

"I tried to use fast lines and strong shapes to complement each other," Braswell said.

Braswell said he would probably enter his artwork in shows as a hobby but not as a job.

The Student Art Show will continue in the Visual Arts Center until April 28.