The MAD (Media Arts Design) Festival 2013 will take place at West Liberty University from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday, April 19.

WLU student Rosalie Haizlett works on her project.

“This annual celebration of the arts is a chance for students to showcase their work and gather to network and learn. We love seeing everyone coming together to share and grow from the competition,” said Jim Haizlett, director of the festival and WLU associate professor of art.

The day will be filled with creative energy and includes 60 workshop sessions, professional presentations and a student media arts competition and awards ceremony. The awards ceremony will take place in College Hall at 3 p.m.

Areas of competition include video, animation, multimedia, interactive, electronic music, illustration, mixed media, photography, digital imaging and graphic design. All entries will be judged by a panel of media arts professionals, according to Haizlett.

The festival is now in its 13th year of existence and is growing. It draws participation from West Liberty students and high school students in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“We have about 300 high school students participating this year, along with our own talented students who are looking forward to MAD. They’ve worked hard to create and showcase their work,” he said.

Prizes include Apple iPads and West Liberty University scholarship awards. The MAD Festival is an activity of West Liberty’s College of Arts and Communication which includes the departments of journalism, communication studies, visual arts, music and theatre.

For more information, please visit the official MAD website.