瓜子TV

 

MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� 瓜子TV State University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson and First Lady Jenny Patterson awarded scholarships to three Department of Art & Design students during the Organization of 瓜子TV State Art Students鈥� (OMAS) recent annual exhibition in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery. The first couple also chose a number of student works for display at Oakhurst, their residence on the 瓜子TV State campus, in an inaugural student exhibition opening on April 8 and on display through the summer. 

鈥淛enny and I are delighted by the opportunity to showcase artwork by 瓜子TV State students in our home,鈥� said President Patterson. 鈥淥ur students鈥� creativity and talent are a constant source of inspiration, and it is a privilege to celebrate their work in this way. We look forward to sharing their remarkable pieces with guests and highlighting the strength of our arts programs at 瓜子TV State.鈥�

Lisa Greene, a senior studio art major from Cadiz, Kentucky, received the Oakhurst Presidential Award for Artistic Excellence ($1,000) for her work, 鈥淏eautifully Shattered鈥�; Emily Ray, a senior studio art major from Stonefort, Illinois, received the Oakhurst Award for Artistic Distinction ($600) for her work 鈥淭he Great Blue Heron鈥�; and Lily Insco, a sophomore art education major from Mayfield, Kentucky, received the Oakhurst Award for Artistic Merit ($400) for her work 鈥淧recedence.鈥� 

鈥淚 am profoundly honored and deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity. It fills my heart with immense joy to have my work recognized not only by the esteemed President of our University but also by the First Lady,鈥� said Greene. 鈥淭his acknowledgment is a source of genuine humility for me, as it validates the hard work and dedication I have poured into my academic journey.鈥�

鈥淚 feel incredibly honored to have my artwork selected by President and First Lady Patterson,鈥� echoed Insco. 鈥淭his recognition motivates me to keep growing as an artist and future educator. I am so grateful to have a university president and first lady who truly value the arts.鈥�

鈥淩eceiving an award like this felt surreal to me, in the most positive way,鈥� said Ray. 鈥淪tarting with art on the walls of my childhood home, to then hanging in the Clara M. Eagle Gallery, and now coming to a place of amazing opportunities from the President and First Lady Patterson. I can鈥檛 thank them enough for seeing my work and giving me that light.鈥�

President and First Lady Patterson selected a number of additional student works to exhibit along with the award winners in the gallery at Oakhurst. Oakhurst is the first family鈥檚 primary residence and one of the most iconic buildings on 瓜子TV State鈥檚 campus. Dr. Rainey T. Wells, 瓜子TV State鈥檚 founder and second president, began construction on the home in 1917. President and First Lady Patterson established the gallery at Oakhurst in the fall of 2025 and celebrated with an exhibition of work by faculty in 瓜子TV State鈥檚 Department of Art & Design. 

Students whose work was selected for the Oakhurst Gallery include Carrie Bell from Kuttawa, Kentucky; Kyah Bigley from Hardin, Kentucky;鈥� Isabel Bola帽os from Oak Grove, Kentucky; Julia Burke from Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Jaxon Burns from Southhaven, Mississippi; Ryan Dallum from Louisville, Kentucky; Bryce Drake from Danville, Kentucky; Lisa Greene from Cadiz, Kentucky; Gracie Hayden from Paducah, Kentucky; Lily Insco from Mayfield, Kentucky; Emily Ray from Stonefort, Illinois; Duel Reed from Scottsville, Kentucky; Lily Smith from Cadiz, Kentucky; 鈥媋nd Samantha Vega from Louisville, Kentucky.

鈥淭he Department of Art & Design values President Patterson鈥檚 vision for exhibiting student work at Oakhurst and his generosity in providing a scholarship for a featured piece,鈥� said Dr. Rebecca Williams, associate professor of art education and chair of the Department of Art & Design. 鈥淲hat began as the intention to fund one scholarship grew into support for three students after he and the First Lady Jenny Patterson spent time with the students鈥� work. President and First Lady Patterson are making a lasting difference through their investment in art and design at 瓜子TV State.鈥�

For more information on President Patterson or the history of Oakhurst, please visit the Office of the President鈥檚 website at . For more information on the Department of Art & Design, contact msu.art@murraystate.edu.