In recognition of the strength of student artwork at Lawrence University, the library has instituted, in cooperation with the Art Department and the Wriston Art Center, a "Senior Art Exhibition Purchase Award." A committee of faculty and staff from the Lawrence community will make the award each year from the Senior Art Exhibition. The piece selected annually will become a part of the University's art collection and will hang in the Mudd Library for the year after its selection. The student whose work is selected will receive a cash award.
Students who will have items in the senior show will be asked to designate those items to be considered for purchase by the selection committee. The committee will review the available art works and determine which piece will be purchased. The selected item will be provided by the artist ready to install in the library at the end of the exhibition. The most recent purchase will be installed in a temporary space in the library for one year, with appropriate signage explaining it is the current selection. When the award is made the following year, the previous purchase will become a part of the general university collection and be available for display elsewhere. The library will have the opportunity to retain the works for display after the initial year is over.