SFA announces 'Refined VII' winners

"Inspirational Ashes" by Becky McDonah of Tempe, Ariz., received first place in "Refined VII: Inspiration," SFA School of Art's biennial art metals and jewelry competition.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - At the recent opening of "Refined VII: Inspiration," juror Jennifer Crupi announced the winners of the biennial art metals and jewelry competition and exhibition presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art.

Becky McDonah of Tempe, Ariz., received the $750 first place for "Inspirational Ashes"; Yuri Tozuka of Boston received the $500 second place for "Twins"; and Chris Irick of Utica, N.Y., received the $250 third place for "Fountain Elms."

Crupi, who is an associate professor of art at Kean University in New Jersey, said in choosing the award winners she put special emphasis on works "that clearly reflected the artists' creative spark for inspiration."

From the 300 submissions for the show, Crupi chose 72 works by 44 artists representing four countries. "Refined VII: Inspiration" will be on view in the Reavley Gallery of The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House through Saturday, March 24.

The show, which is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Art, is sponsored in part by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts and Nacogdoches Junior Forum.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches. Regular gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, please call (936) 468-1131.