The University of Arkansas at Monticello Homepage

Alexia Lams, a graduate student in the Master of Education degree program at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, was recently honored with the 2024 Higher Education Art Student of the Year award by the Arkansas Art Educators (AAE) organization. She received the award at the AAE Fall Professional Development Conference on November 6 at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Lams graduated from UAM in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in art degree. During her time at UAM, she participated in several exhibitions, including three national juried shows at the Regional Art Museum in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the River Oaks Square Art Center in Alexandria, Louisiana, and the Indianapolis Art Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lams was also accepted into the 2024 Small Works on Paper Exhibition, sponsored by the Arkansas Arts Council. She contributed to the local community through her work with the after-school program at Monticello Intermediate School and her volunteer efforts at Main Street Art Gallery in Monticello, Arkansas. Lams also helped plan and organize annual student art sales and participated in the 2023 Arkansas Art Educators Conference. Additionally, she gained professional experience working in the UAM art department’s gallery and art complex, assisting with exhibitions, gallery operations and mentoring peers.

“I am very blessed to be recognized for my efforts so early into my artistic journey,” Lams said. “I could not have gotten this far without the guidance of my professors Tom Richard and Mitch Gathings or the support of my friends, family and institution.”

Thomas Richard, professor of art at UAM, stated, “I appreciate Arkansas Art Educators for honoring such a deserving student. While Alexia was an art student at UAM, she worked in the gallery and with the after-school program at Monticello Intermediate School, created wonderful artwork, assisted other students and was accepted into many national and state art exhibitions. She was a pleasure to have as a student and receiving this award is commendable.”

For more information about the art program at UAM, contact the UAM School of Arts and Humanities at 870-460-1078.