PORTALES, NM – April 20, 2021 – The annual K Through ENMU art show is now on display in the Runnels Gallery at the Golden Student Success Center (GSSC) on the Portales campus of Eastern New Mexico University, presenting 140 works of art by 300 entrants from schools across a 300-mile expanse.

The exhibition was free to enter and open to all public, private and homeschooled students, from kindergarten through senior at ENMU.

Bryan Hahn, manager of the Runnels Gallery, said the number of entrants is down due to the closure of public schools across New Mexico because of COVID-19, but the creativity and talent on display is still impressive.

"It is exciting to see that artists and art educators have continued to create artwork and expand our knowledge of art," Hahn said. "The 140-plus pieces in this year's show are clear evidence that even in the midst of a pandemic, that creativity is alive and well."

As the state continues to open back up, he expects to see an increase in entrants in future competitions. "We're really connected with our public school teachers to get these entries," Hahn said. "We usually grow every year."

At 6 p.m. on April 30, the final day of the K Through ENMU show, there will be a live-stream walk-through and awards ceremony to celebrate the artists and their work at enmu.edu/kENMULive. Art lovers can also get a 360-degree look at pieces in the show on the gallery's Facebook page at facebook.com/ENMURunnelsGallery.