SUNY Plattsburgh Art Major Earns 'Best of Show' Honors at 'Best of SUNY' Art Exhibit

June 17, 2016

A SUNY Plattsburgh art major entering his senior year was one of three SUNY students whose work was named “Best of Show” in the “Best of SUNY” art exhibit now on display in Albany.

Robert Wolf, a native of Norwich, N.Y., who is pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, received $1,000 scholarship for being one of three students whose work was chosen for top honors. Chancellor Nancy Zimpher announced the winners at an opening reception June 13.

“The ‘Best of SUNY’ exhibit highlights the impressive artistic talents of students from throughout our university system and serves as an inspiration not only to SUNY’s administration, faculty and staff, but to all those who visit the New York State Museum,” she said. “Again this year, I am in awe of the student works selected for this summer’s exhibit. Congratulations to the award winners and to all the students with work on display.”

Wolf’s print, “Sink,” will be displayed in the state capital through Oct. 23.

“When I opened the email (from SUNY) I was shocked to see I had made best of show,” said Wolf, who is working on campus with the college’s maintenance and operations department this summer. “The museum awarding me $1,000 — it’s the biggest award I have received both academic and monetarily. The opening was great; all the art work was high quality and well represented. It is an honor and a pleasure to be part of this great opportunity.”

Wolf received his associate’s degree at Monroe Community College in Rochester before transferring to Plattsburgh. After graduating, he hopes to pursue his masters in fine arts.

“I would like to keep making art, showing in galleries and possibly teaching at the college level,” he said.

The SUNY student art shows began in 2002 as a way to showcase the system’s most talented student artists for a wider audience. Artwork featured in the “Best of SUNY” exhibit is chosen by art departments across the 64 campuses. The traditional area of drawing, ceramics, painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking are included, as well as mixed media, photography sculpture, and digitally produced works.

The show was juried by Dr. Caroline Downing, a SUNY distinguished teaching professor and chair of the art department at SUNY Potsdam.