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SFA’s 12 X 12 Scholarship Fundraiser for art students returning in October

Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information
•
August 11, 2021
Eight entries from the 2019 12 X 12 event are examples of the kind of artwork that will be available for bidding in this year’s 12 X 12 Scholarship Fundraiser for the Friends of the Visual Arts at SFA.

These entries from the 2019 12 X 12 event are examples of the kind of artwork that will be available for bidding in this year’s 12 X 12 Scholarship Fundraiser for the Friends of the Visual Arts at SFA. The event is planned for Oct. 2 through 16 at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House with the art party scheduled for Saturday night, Oct. 16.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Fans of the 12 X 12 Scholarship Fundraiser for the Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University will be excited to know that the benefit that funds scholarships and grants for students in the SFA School of Art is returning this fall.

Mark your calendars now for Oct. 2 through 16 to make sure you have time to participate in silent bidding, and plan now to attend the art party on Saturday, Oct. 16, all at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches. The event was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

The silent auction features 12-by-12-inch pieces of art created by approximately 80 artists from Nacogdoches, Lufkin and other areas of East Texas. Anyone may silently bid on the unique one-of-a-kind pieces, according to David Cozadd, event committee chairman.

“The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts organization is excited for the return of this fundraiser event,” Cozadd said. “There’s always a lot of outstanding 12 X 12 works of art. Furthermore, the arts are in need of support now more than ever.”

Silent bidding ($250 minimum) begins Saturday, Oct. 2, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House and will continue up to the day of the art party, which is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the art center. Starting bids drop to $100 the night of the event, and raffle tickets will be sold five for $20. Refreshments will be served at the party.

Local artists, as well as former SFA students and professors, provide original works of art for the event. The purpose of 12 X 12 is to raise funds for the FVA scholarships and grants that are awarded to SFA art students. Between $12,000 and $15,000 is awarded annually in scholarships to deserving students in the School of Art.

The awards help students defray the costs of special projects for art classes or M.B.A./B.A. exhibitions. Some recipients have attended conferences or gone on school trips that will help with their professional development. This has included Maymester trips for art students to go to Italy. The organization also awards scholarships for elementary school students to attend the SFA Art Academy.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information about 12 X 12 or to become a sponsor, call Cozadd at (936) 585-2170.