NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Nacogdoches junior Josh Welch has been awarded the first Gary Parker Art Scholarship at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts established the scholarship last year in honor of retired SFA School of Art faculty member Gary Parker, who was employed for 31 years in the School of Art where he not only taught courses but also directed the school's Summer Art Academy program for children and served as the gallery preparator.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Katy senior Victoria Sturm has been selected as this year's Charles D. Jones Art Scholarship recipient at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Jones scholarship, established by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, is awarded on an annual basis to a junior, senior or graduate level student with drawing or printmaking as his/her major study area. Students must show initiative and a broad appreciation of all of the fine arts with a concentration on printmaking, according to the eligibility criteria established by Jones.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's James I. Perkins College of Education will host Barrio Writers, a free weeklong summer writing program, June 13-18 on the SFA campus.

This is the second year SFA is offering the program, which is tailored for students ages 13-21 with an interest in reading and writing.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Students in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will promote the SummerStage Festival's children's show at the Texas Blueberry Festival June 11 in downtown Nacogdoches.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University have selected Plano junior Jacqueline Morales as this year's recipient of the Gary Q. Frields Art Scholarship.

To be eligible for the Frields award, students must "demonstrate an exemplary work ethic, show versatility in the use of media and techniques in two or more areas, and show innovation and quality in their work," according to the criteria established by Frields.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art has announced that sophomore photography student Jacob Moffett of Cypress is this year's recipient of the Robert Kinsell Art Scholarship, which was established and funded by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts.

Elaine Bezold, visiting assistant professor of art in photography and digital media at SFA, recommended Moffett for the award.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Volunteers with the Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University are busy organizing this year's 12X12 scholarship fundraiser and are seeking sponsors to help make it successful.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The SFA School of Art and Friends of the Visual Arts will offer Texas Blueberry Festival-goers the opportunity to view "Found Footage: Rediscovering Nacogdoches" and the George Hooker short promotional film "Nacogdoches: The Oldest Town."

The two films will be shown every hour on the hour starting at 10 a.m. with the last screenings starting at 3 p.m. on festival day, June 11, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches. Copies of the DVD will be available for purchase during the festival.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - An exhibition highlighting the history of African-American leaders in Nacogdoches is the final product for students in a history graduate course within Stephen F. Austin State University's College of Liberal and Applied Arts.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's educator preparation program within the James I. Perkins College of Education hosted its first Partners in Educator Preparation Appreciation Banquet on May 26 on the university campus.

During their final semester before graduation, SFA students majoring in education begin their student teaching in school districts across Texas.