Art Student Wins SUNY Scholarship

James Ryan, a senior from Massena, N.Y., who is currently doing an internship with the Franconia Sculpture Park in Minnesota, won an "Honorable Mention" scholarship for his metal sculpture, titled, "Falling Together." Ryan's work was one of 68 art pieces created by 63 students representing 25 SUNY campuses on display in the hallways of State University Plaza, housed in the historic DH Railway Building in downtown Albany. The exhibit, which runs until Sept. 24, is free and open to the public.

Two students were awarded $1,000 scholarships for "Best in Show" and four artists, including Ryan, received "Honorable Mention" scholarships.

"I would like to congratulate the six scholarship winners on their artistic talent and captivating visual expression," said Robert L. King, SUNY chancellor. "Their work, as well as many others exhibited in the show, displays considerable power and mastery. Through it we can see the energy and vitality of our students. This year's art exhibitions at State University Plaza have allowed us to bring the work of our many talented artists to a wider audience."

Elizabeth Merena, director of the Visual Arts Program at the New York State Council on the Arts, and Amy Williams, vice president for programs at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, were the judges for this exhibit. Richard Schwartz, chairman of the New York State Council on the Arts, participated in organizing the judging for the exhibition.

The Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition is the third in a year-long series of shows presenting the work of SUNY students from throughout the system. The first two exhibits were held last fall and earlier this year. The Best of SUNY Student Art Exhibition features works selected from the first two shows.

"The traditional areas of drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture make up the majority of the works in this exhibit; yet several pieces created using non-traditional methods are on view. The result is an exhibition with a wide-range of visual diversity," said Joe Hildreth, distinguished service professor of art at the State University College at Potsdam and exhibit organizer.

"New York State has long been recognized as a leader in our country for its support of the arts," said King. "SUNY's campuses continue that leadership through their education of art students in art departments all across the state.  These shows are a culmination of these investments."

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