The Hokin Honors Exhibition opened for its 20th year Thursday, Nov. 1, at Columbia’s C33 Gallery in the Congress building.

“The Honors show is always a highlight of our entire exhibition year here,” said Neysa Page-Lieberman, director of the Department of Exhibition & Performance Spaces. “We do over a dozen exhibitions every year and this is one we always look forward to.”

To get in the exhibition, students have to be nominated by a faculty member. The faculty member not only nominates the student, but also nominates specific pieces. From the nominations, DEPS narrows the selection down.

The selected pieces are judged by a panel of Chicago art professionals to determine the best pieces of the exhibit. DEPS gives the students of the selected pieces monetary awards, ranging from $150 to $500.

DEPS also buys a few pieces in the exhibition to put in their permanent collection.

“We invite collectors, curators, art critics—people in a variety of industries who we want to see our student work. We want them to see the students that are going to be the leaders in a variety of fields that are represented here,” said Page-Lieberman.

This year, fashion studies major Hayley Zimet won first place for a garment she made in her Fashion: Theory & Practice class. She was surprised she won.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Zimet. “I had a really great teacher and she encouraged me to do this, so I’m really glad I did it.”

The gallery will be up until Jan. 11 at the C33 Gallery. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.