This year I entered my pieces in the Bowling Green State University Undergraduate Exhibition, was ecstatic when they were accepted and moved on to catching up on projects and the rest of my daily activities.  I was sick the weekend of the opening and figured I would check out everyone else’s work on Monday.

When I came to the studio on Monday my classmates said, “Congratulations!”  I stared at them.  They laughed and said, “You don’t know, do you?”  I blinked.  One woman smiled at me and said, “You won, sweety.  You won first place and a thousand dollars.”  Someone handed me the pamphlet listing the prize winners.  There was my name.  Twice!  I blinked a lot.

Not only did I win First Place in Jewelry and Metals for my Parrot Pectoral, I also won the Ringholz Art Supply 3D Award for all my pieces in the show!

I am beyond excited!  It is fantastic to be given evidence that people responded to, even liked and appreciated the pieces I’ve made.  Not only that, but the Ringholz Art Supply Award is $1000 for art supplies for my 3D Art Classes for the next year!  This award is given every year by an inspiring woman, Amy Ringholz, an artist and graduate of Bowling Green State University.  (I highly suggest you check out her paintings at her website, www.amyringholz.com/ Her paintings are absolutely gorgeous!)  I am already makings lists in my head of what supplies I’ll need for my classes next year.  The opportunity to make pieces unconstrained by what money I can parcel out from loans and grants for supplies is absolutely amazing!

There are many beautiful works up at the Undergrad Show (which runs through this weekend, if you are in the area)  Here are a few of my favorites: