Everything Nac

Tristan W. Brewster-Arnold has been selected as this year’s Charles D. Jones Art Scholarship recipient at Stephen F. Austin State University. Brewster, a senior from Cleveland, Texas, is studying drawing in SFA’s School of Art.

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.

Wesley Berg, associate professor of drawing and painting in the School of Art, nominated Brewster for the award. Berg noted that Brewster “is a talented young artist in the studio arts and demonstrates exemplary focus and dedication in the studio.”

“With a consistent work ethic and sustained interest in bettering his skills, technique and approach to art making, he creates very strong work at a level beyond his peers,” Berg said in nominating Brewster. “I see in Tristan an artist who will continue beyond his undergraduate studies, creating powerful work throughout his career.”

As Brewster’s academic advisor in the drawing area, Berg said he felt compelled to point out that Brewster’s interest in art was evident with each conversation the two had together.

“In the studio classroom, Tristan helps to elevate the quality of all the work being created by inspiring his fellow classmates to achieve at a high level,” Berg said. “Tristan spends his time outside of the classroom continuing his own art practice, beyond the requirements of his studio courses. Tristan is clearly interested in following a career as a working artist.”

The FVA has established scholarships in the name of retiring SFA School of Art professors who were employed in the School of Art for a minimum of 10 years before retirement and who contributed in a significant way to the mission of the Friends of the Visual Arts board and its fundraising activities, such as consistently donating art for fundraisers, by providing monetary assistance, or by serving on FVA committees or board.

Jones is professor emeritus in the SFA School of Art where he taught printmaking, drawing, Mexican art history and the “Art of The Book” from 1971 to 2011. During that time, he was named a Regents Professor and received a Distinguished Professor Award from the Alumni Association and a Teaching Excellence Award from the university. He is now the director and master printer for the LaNana Creek Press at SFA and has had exhibitions of his work worldwide.

The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts is made up of community members who support the arts in East Texas and provide monetary assistance to students enrolled in the School of Art by conducting fundraisers, such as the upcoming annual 12 x 12 event in July.

Katherine Liller has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Robert Kinsell Art Scholarship, awarded by the Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Chris Talbot, director of the SFA School of Art, nominated Liller, a sophomore from Cypress with a major in photography, for the award.

“Katie is an excellent student and has a true passion for photography,” Talbot said in his nomination. “She goes beyond the required and has an infectiously positive attitude.

“She is a leader in the Art Alliance student organization and (supports) the other students and the art community in Nacogdoches,” he added. “She is a joy to have in class and shows great potential.”

The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts established the Kinsell scholarship to support the educational goals of students currently enrolled in the School of Art by providing financial assistance to outstanding students in the visual arts program. The scholarship also honors Kinsell as a teacher, as an ardent supporter of the arts in the Nacogdoches community, and as a huge supporter of the FVA and its fundraising activities.

An art professor at SFA for 25 years before retiring in 2013, Kinsell taught courses in painting, drawing, figure drawing and advertising design. The Robert Kinsell Art Scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate level art student with painting or photography as his or her major study area, according to the criteria developed by Kinsell.

The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts is made up of community members who support the arts in East Texas and provide monetary assistance to students enrolling in the School of Art by conducting fundraisers, such as the upcoming annual 12 x 12 event in July.

A performance by 12-year-old Nacogdoches pianist Antonio “Nio” Ajero will be showcased on an upcoming episode of “From the Top,” the hit National Public Radio program featuring America’s best young classical musicians.

Hosted by acclaimed pianist Christopher O’Riley, the show will air at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, on Red River Radio. The episode, available for streaming and podcast at fromthetop.org, was presented by LeTourneau University and Red River Radio and taped before a live audience at LeTourneau’s Belcher Center in March.

Nio is a student of Linda Parr in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music. He is also winner of the 2017 Baylor/Waco Solo Piano Competition and a National Gold Medal from The Royal Conservatory for earning the highest score in the United States on their Level 9 Piano Exam.

On the NPR broadcast, Nio performs Caprice à la Scarlatti in G major, Op. 14, No. 3 by Ignacy Jan Paderewski.

A seventh-grade student at Mike Moses Middle School, Nio is the son of Dr. Mario Ajero, professor of piano at SFA, and Gina Ajero.