ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — What do you get when you combine oversized tools, mollusks, bunnies and a woman caught atop her closet door? That would be only a portion of the artwork displayed at the Second Annual Emerging Artists Exhibit at the Orange Beach Arts Center.

At the end of the recent reception, one-third of the artists were up in a tree and two children proudly displayed their Hot Shop tattoos. That is a good night.

The exhibit opened April 2 with the artists’ reception and awards presentation. Judges for this year’s exhibit were Nancy Fleming, artist and owner of Patina Gallery in Fairhope; Sonia Cook-Broen, a member artist of the Orange Beach Arts Center; and Sam Cornman, glass artist and manager of The Hot Shop.

The Friends Choice Award went to Pensacola Junior College student Christopher White for “Carla in Motion,” a digital photograph and Ilford Gallery digital print.

The University of West Florida’s Mia McCann won both third- and second-place honors for two differing oil paintings. Third-place, “Alpha,” depicts an alpha male rabbit and his colony in soft cool colors of blue, white and pink while second-place “Bound” features an earth-tone portrait of a tattooed male sitting arms crossed, glaring at the viewer.

First place went to the University of South Alabama’s Justin “Lollypop” Snyder for “Hammered,” a ceramic and mixed media sculpted hammer measuring 52 inches high, a definite conversation piece.

The Best of Show Award went to the University of West Florida’s James Martin for his oil portrait, “Kielie,” a small canvas with a powerful, old world feel to it.

Other artists included in the exhibit are Kelsey Wishik from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, who entered three figurative ceramics beautifully formed with textured surface. Wishik will continue her art education at Florida State University.

Rebecca Brown from the University of South Alabama exhibits a still life series of oysters showing the mollusks in a new light. Her canvases are a perfect addition to any wall (home or restaurant) along the Gulf Coast.

From Spring Hill College, Jess Gouldthorpe’s ceramic vases are a combination of slab and throw construction and feature an intense metallic glaze.  Another Spring Hill student, Kristin Lynch displays three figurative nudes that challenge the viewer to rethink the sexualization of the female form.

Samantha Williams, from the University of West Florida, presents two videos that “explore the human dilemma and investigates convolutions of strange ritual.”

The process to select exhibitors begins with a request from deans and professors of area universities and colleges. To receive the nod from your school is an honor itself, and further accolades are gravy.

As additional encouragement, the Friends of the Arts waive the required jurying process to exhibit at the Orange Beach Arts Festival. They also each received a gift certificate to The Hot Shop.

This exhibit, a favorite for the year, will be on display through June 5.

The exhibit and awards are made possible by the Friends of the Arts Inc., a nonprofit organization that supports the Orange Beach Arts Center and arts on the Gulf Coast.

To support the arts, join the Friends of the Arts Inc by calling (251) 981-2787, or visiting www.orangebeachartscenter.com.