Murray State University’s President and First Lady Patterson showcase student artwork at Oakhurst, to host inaugural student exhibition

By Dr. Carrie Jerrell | Oct 2, 2026

MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University President Dr. Ron K. Patterson and First Lady Jenny Patterson, in collaboration with Murray State’s Department of Art & Design, are pleased to invite the community to view the inaugural student exhibition in the Gallery at Oakhurst on Monday, Oct. 12 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oakhurst is located at 1510 Main Street in Murray, Kentucky. All are welcome to attend. 

The first couple selected the pieces on view from artworks juried into the Organization of Murray State Art Students’ (OMAS) annual exhibition in April 2026.

“Jenny and I are excited to share these outstanding works with the Murray State community at Oakhurst,” said President Patterson. “This exhibition gives us an opportunity to celebrate the creativity, talent and hard work of our students and to support the important role that the arts play in the Murray State experience.”

The exhibit includes work by Carrie Bell from Kuttawa, Kentucky; Kyah Bigley from Hardin, Kentucky; Isabel Bolaños 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; and Samantha Vega from Louisville, Kentucky. The works span a wide range of media such as drawing, painting, ceramics, printmaking, photography, woodworking and more.

Drake, who graduated in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and a focus in graphic design, says she created her digital illustration, “Warming Sun,” with an aim for “a sense of awe, joy, and peace.”

“I am honored to be included in the exhibition, and I'm excited to still be a part of campus arts, even after graduation,” said Drake. “I'm glad to be a part of an exhibition that values all mediums, including digital works.”

Burns, a junior art/graphic design major, said their work, “Guardians,” a collection of three sleeping animals whittled from basswood and painted in mystical blues and golds, was inspired by the serenity of sleep and the fantastical nature of dreaming.

“I'm really excited to be featured in the Oakhurst Gallery. Dr. Patterson’s support of the arts has been a great thing to me as a student, and I'm unbelievably honored that he liked my work.”

Held each spring in the University galleries, the OMAS juried show is a signature event that offers Murray State art students an opportunity to showcase their finest work. The exhibit at Oakhurst expands on President and First Lady Patterson’s ongoing efforts to highlight campus artists at the presidential home, which also hosted an exhibit of work by Murray State Department of Art & Design faculty earlier this year.

“Being selected for the student exhibition at Oakhurst is both an honor for our students and a meaningful expression of support for our program,” said Dr. Rebecca Williams, chair of the Department of Art & Design. “The exhibition also provides a valuable professional learning experience, giving students the opportunity to participate in a juried exhibition and experience what it means to have their work selected, installed and viewed by the public.”

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