Cleveland senior Tristan W. Brewster-Arnold has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Charles D. Jones Art Scholarship awarded by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts.
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.
