Tradition made new Bethel University’s 49th annual Raspberry Monday art exhibition led students to reflect on and challenge societal ideals. By Sarah Bakeman | Design by Essie Shull
Since its first showing in 1973, Bethel’s annual student art exhibition Raspberry Monday has kept many traditions consistent. For one, the juried showcase remains open to all current Bethel students, allowing them to enter paintings, sculpture, digital media, photography and more for judging. The Johnson Gallery, where this year’s art was held from March 28 to April 13, has always been the home base for the student exhibition. And the event’s eccentric title remains a nod to Don and Florence Johnson, the couple who donated money for the first Raspberry Monday Scholarship Award after surviving a car accident. When they crashed, the Johnsons had been on their way back from picking raspberries. After the impact, they were relieved to realize the red substance covering Don was berries and not blood, making the event’s title recognition of God’s protection. In its 49th year, Raspberry Monday has seen changes that challenge its tradition. After COVID-19, students continue to submit their work virtually. This year's juror, Alison Hiltner, judged student work through digital photos instead of walking the gallery floor. Gallery Director and Professor of Art Michelle Westmark Wingard believes judging will stay this way for the foreseeable future. “Jurors are able to look at the work and really consider it for longer than a three-hour judging window,” Wingard said. “I think it’s kind of a nice thing.” This year’s show saw 135 submissions from 35 students. In the midst of choosing between art pieces, Hiltner, for the first time in the show’s history, listed four honorable mentions as opposed to the usual one. Among these submissions, many students sought to reject traditions handed down to them by society.
