"Monk with Blue Angel" By Justin Nostrala Charcoal (Oil) on Paper 45" x 33" 2009

UNC Asheville's Art Department and Craft Studies will co-host the inaugural National Juried Drawing Exhibition January 12-February 2 at the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery, located on the first floor of UNC Asheville's Owen Hall. Juror Deborah Rockman, a noted artist, reviewed some 564 entries from 183 artists from across the nation. Just 50 pieces were accepted into the show. An opening reception and awards presentation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in the gallery. Events are free and open to the public.

"This exhibition is part of an ongoing commitment to promote drawing practices in the visual arts in our program," said Tamie Beldue, UNC Asheville assistant professor of art and coordinator of the exhibit. "We're also hoping that the show will help demonstrate the continued significance of drawing through conventional and innovative methods to our students and to gallery patrons."

In conjunction with the opening reception, Rockman will give a talk at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in UNC Asheville's Owen Hall, room 102, which is adjacent to the gallery. The talk is part of UNC Asheville's Meet the Maker lecture series, which highlights artists of local and national importance. She will present exhibition awards at 7 p.m. in the gallery.

Rockman is professor of art at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, located in Michigan. She teaches both graduate and undergraduate drawing courses and is the author of "Drawing Essentials" and "The Art of Teaching Art." Her award winning work in drawing, collage, mixed media and digital media has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States.

UNC Asheville's S. Tucker Cooke Gallery is free and open to the public from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call UNC Asheville's Art Department at 828/251-6559.