Dean's Circle event honors accomplishments of SFA fine arts students

Dr. A.C. "Buddy" Himes, dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts, center, is pictured with some of the sponsors of the 2014 Winners' Circle event held recently in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Carl Davis, including, from left, Clay Farell, CEO and COO for Nacogdoches Medical Center; Chris Sidnell, chairman of the advisory board of the Dean's Circle; Ron Johnson, representing CBH Insurance; and Corey Ashley, representing First Bank & Trust of East Texas.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Members of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts Dean's Circle recently recognized its 2014 award recipients at the annual Winners' Circle reception held in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Carl Davis.

This year's award recipients, who were announced and honored in April, were re-introduced at the reception. Honorees were Kathrynne F. Garcia, Houston junior art major, who received the Ed and Gwen Cole Dean's Award in Art; Clara E. Boyett, Jasper piano performance major, who received the Jack and Naioma Ledbetter Dean's Award in Music; Tabitha M. Donley, Fort Worth junior music education major, who received the Dr. Robert Sidnell Memorial Dean's Award in Music Education; and Daniel J. Miller, Houston area junior theatre major, who received the George and Peggy Schmidbauer Dean's Award in Theatre.

Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn recognized the program sponsors, including Cal-Tex Lumber Company, Nacogdoches Medical Center, the Sidnell Family, First Bank & Trust of East Texas, Grogan's Cleaners, Dr. Gary and Mrs. Janise Barkocy, CBH Insurance Agency and Regions Bank.

The annual fall event serves as a fundraiser and membership drive for the Dean's Circle with current and former students, faculty, businesses and supporters of the College of Fine Arts donating items for a silent auction. Live auction items included a handcrafted Texas flag washer board by Aaron Perdue, donated by Patricia Watkins; "Cloud Axe" by Jeffie Brewer, donated by the artist; "Poolside Reflections" by Robert Kinsell, donated by the Friends of the Visual Arts; and a Mazda Miata convertible, courtesy of Dan Peppard and Peppard Autoplex.

The Dean's Circle is an external support organization of community members founded in 2008 and dedicated, in part, to nurturing potential young artists within the College of Fine Arts, according to Dr. A.C. "Buddy" Himes, dean.

For information about joining the Dean's Circle or supporting fine arts programs at SFA, contact Himes at (936) 468-2801 or himesac@sfasu.edu.