A first-of-its-kind artists’ reception capped off the 61^st MEA/MAEA Art Acquisitions Purchase Exhibition on Monday, attracting several dozen participants to MEA Headquarters in East Lansing to honor this year’s accepted and winning entries crafted by members from across the state.

The reception concluded the three-week juried exhibition, featuring nearly 70 pieces of art in a wide variety of media, including painting, drawing, photography, ceramics, glass, fibers and more.

“It was wonderful to celebrate the incredible talents of MEA members from every corner of Michigan,” said Heidi Posh, a Livonia art teacher who serves as co-chair of the MEA Art Acquisitions Committee. “Everyone seemed to enjoy the mix of open-house socializing, snacks, and drinks, along with a culminating awards ceremony and congratulatory handshakes.”

The Art Acquisitions Committee is a voluntary group of MEA members who work with a professional juror to organize the annual exhibition. Out of this collection, the committee chooses pieces for MEA to purchase and display in MEA offices across the state.

The reception was attended by MEA leaders and staff, including MEA President Chandra Madafferi and Senior Executive Director Erik Edoff, along with members and professional colleagues from the co-sponsoring Michigan Art Education Association.

This year’s Best in Show winner was Gabby Marderosian, an MEA-member Farmington art teacher, for her acrylic painting titled “Strike in Nashville.” The juror was Mirvia Sol Eckert, a Puerto Rican painter and full-time artist in Indianapolis.

Read more about Marderosian’s piece and view all of this year’s accepted and award-winning entries at mea.org/art-2025.