Above: Two pieces from a series of five created by Oren, which focus on mental illness.

Original artwork by a handful of Georgia Southern art students are to be showcased in an art exhibit held at the Blick Art Gallery in downtown Savannah.

Eight students have been awarded scholarships within the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art (BFSDoArt) and have pieces in the showcase, called the Ovation exhibit.

Awardees Kathleen Blankenship, Erin Fortenberry, Lyanna Mitchell, Emily Oren, Kimberly Page, Ray Pettit, Courtney Ryan and MacKenzie Willard each received recognition for their work in drawing, ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography and other mediums.

“Despite being a 2D major, I found that I enjoyed making sculptures more than drawings because it was newer to me. They’re actually two of five in a series inspired by the effects of mental illnesses,” Emily Oren, senior 2D studio art major, said.

A closing ceremony will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22. The exhibition will continue to be open to the public until Sept. 29.