Everything Nac

Refined, a biennial exhibition of jewelry and metalwork hosted by the art metals program in the School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University, will open with a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, in Reavley Gallery in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

Juror for Refined Art Metals/Jewelry Competition and Exhibition is Perry A. Price, executive director of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston. Price will give a lecture at 5:15 p.m. prior to the reception.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Refined will follow a theme of its namesake, according to John Handley, director of art galleries at SFA. Based on Webster’s definition, refined means free from impurities, fastidious, cultivated, precise and exact.

“Each of these broad definitions could be considered through design, narrative content, social/political work, and other various representations,” Handley said.

Entries may include work that honors “refined” in the broadest sense while embracing the diverse field of metalworking and jewelry, he explained. Jewelry, vessels, utensils, installation and sculpture are considered.

“We encourage the use of a wide variety of materials and techniques,” Handley said.

Refined has been a continuous presence in Texas allowing for talented jurors and participants to cross paths.

“With an average of 60 works from all over the country (including international presence), this exhibition offers a diverse view of the field in an educational contemporary environment,” Handley said. “Regional support as well as a short journey from Houston or Dallas ensures foot traffic through this unique exhibition.”

Price received a B.A. in the History of Art from the Johns Hopkins University and an M.A. in Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Museum Studies, State University of New York at Oneonta, and the New York State Historical Association. Prior to joining the HCCC, he served as director of education for the American Craft Council in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was responsible for developing and presenting programming and outreach providing thought leadership and cultivating critical thinking in the field of contemporary craft. He previously served as curator of exhibitions and collections for Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he developed and oversaw all aspects of the New England craft museum’s exhibitions and collections initiatives. He is a scholar of contemporary studio craft, material culture, decorative arts and design.

The reception is sponsored by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, The Flower Shop, Bill Arscott and the Nacogdoches Junior Forum. Admission to the exhibition and reception is free.

Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s online master’s degree in educational leadership has been named one of the best programs of its kind in the nation.

AffordableCollegesOnline.org, a website dedicated to helping prospective students find the best online programs, financial aid and major, evaluated more than 3,500 colleges nationwide to find the best online master’s degree in educational leadership and ranked SFA’s program in the top 1 percent.

“We are encouraged by this recognition,” said Dr. Jeanie Gresham, chair of SFA’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership. “It spotlights the hard work of the program coordinator, Dr. Barbara Qualls, and other faculty members who diligently teach and mentor candidates for future leadership roles.”

Universities were ranked on affordability, quality, flexibility and degrees offered. SFA’s 30-hour Master of Education in educational leadership leads to principal certification. Students who have completed a master’s degree and meet other admission requirements can enroll in the 18-hour principal certification program.

“In our seventh annual survey of online learning programs across the nation, we wanted to honor the colleges and universities that are providing innovative ways for students to complete a degree,” said Dan Schuessler, CEO and founder of AffordableCollegesOnline.org. “These schools are going above and beyond the industry standard to help make online education programs more accessible and affordable.”

SFA’s program engages students in data-driven decision-making, special programs, law, and school and community leadership. Students also have the opportunity to practice in the industry through field experiences and internships.

For more information, visit sfaonline.info/educationalleadership.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Computer Science will host a lecture by Brian Warwick, Texas Children’s Hospital application architect, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in the Math Building, Room 101.

Warwick received his Bachelor of Business Administration from SFA and will present “Improving Lives and Changing Healthcare with Computer Science,” giving insight into the advancements taking place in the health care industry with the help of computer science.

Working at the largest pediatric hospital in the U.S., Warwick has created applications used in patient treatments and heart surgery, recently building a simulation application with Dr. Jennifer Arnold, television personality on The Learning Channel’s “The Little Couple.” He also owns a health care and communication company that creates mobile apps and Alexa skills for children and adults with communication disorders.

“The health care industry touches everyone, and technology has become an important part of the health care field,” said Dr. Deborah Dunn, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science. “Brian will provide information on how information technology has changed the way health care is delivered from a user standpoint as well as the careers that are available from the technology standpoint.”

The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact the Department of Computer Science at (936) 468-2508.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.