LSU Vet Med Opens 32nd International Exhibition on Animals in Art, Announces Award Winners
October 14, 2026
“Swamp Rabbit,” a sculpture consisting of steel, foam, clay, flocking, sheet metal bullet casings, and wire by Angelica Drozda of Lafayette, La., received the Best of Show Award at the 2026 International Exhibition on Animals in Art.
BATON ROUGE—The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine opened its 32nd International Exhibition on Animals in Art with a reception Oct. 10. The International Exhibition on Animals in Art has become a longstanding tradition at LSU Vet Med, bringing original works of art centered on animals to the veterinary school and the Baton Rouge community.
The exhibition will remain on display through Nov. 6 and will be open to the public during regular LSU Vet Med Library hours.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
The exhibition features 57 works selected from 293 entries submitted by 163 artists from Canada and 28 states across the United States. The selected works celebrate animals through a variety of artistic styles, perspectives, and media. The opening reception offers visitors an opportunity to be among the first to view this year’s exhibition and celebrate the artists whose works were selected.
AWARDS
The exhibition includes awards for Best of Show, Judges’ Awards (2), Honorable Mention (2), the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Award (used to promote the next year’s show), People’s Choice, and the JAVMA Award (the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association selects a piece to go one a journal cover). The 2026 awards selected so far are as follows:
- Best of Show: Swamp Rabbit, a sculpture consisting of steel, foam, clay, flocking, sheet metal bullet casings, and wire by Angelica Drozda of Lafayette, La.
- Judges’ Award: Purple Gallinule, an oil by Charles Brossard of Lafayette, La.
- Judges’ Award: Afternoon Cake, an oil by Nicholas Spindler of Los Angeles, Calif.
- Honorable Mention: A Comfy Spot: A Maine Coon Cat, an acrylic by Tamara Burnett of Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Honorable Mention: Walleye, a charcoal drawing by Autumn Wittebort of Oxford, Miss.
- LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Award: The Bona Lisa and Pawblo Pawcasso, both watercolors by Katherine Klimitas of Metairie, La.
JURORS AND JUDGES
Jurors and judges for this year’s exhibition are Molly Hauck and Collin Leger with Ann Connelly Fine Art, where they are both gallerists. Hauck has specialized in creative consulting for more than 14 years, advising on local, regional, and national art programs. She has also served on the executive board of Cat Haven since 2023. In her free time, she enjoys painting with her daughter, Betty, and watching movies with her husband and their two cats. Leger consults on art projects and programs across the country. He graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and minors in French and art history. He has several years of museum and gallery experience and has helped curate exhibitions locally and regionally. In his free time, Leger enjoys playing tennis, going on walks, and spending quality time with friends.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
- Opening reception: Saturday, Oct. 10, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Exhibition dates: Oct. 10-Nov. 6
- Location: LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Library
- Admission: Open to the public
- Exhibition: 57 works selected from 293 entries
- Artists: 51 artists representing Canada and 15 U.S. states
- Twenty-two (22) artists from Louisiana
- Hours: Regular LSU Vet Med Library hours
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 33 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.