May 1, 2008

Cowley art instructor takes home award

Entering his cast aluminum relief sculpture titled “Practice, Practice, Practice” in the Smoky Hill art exhibition sponsored by the Hays Art Council, Cowley College art instructor Mike Fell received a third place award.

The exhibition is an annual fine art competition of works submitted from throughout the state of Kansas. Out of 252 artworks submitted this year, 67 were accepted by the juror, Warren Taylor, professor of art at Midland College in Texas. 

Taylor praised the entries in this years show.
"It is a pleasure to see the rich swath of creativity showcased in this year's Smoky Hill Art Exhibition,” Taylor said. "It is in the arts that our uniqueness as individuals becomes the jewel of our civilization."

Out of the entries accepted, 13 were given special awards and were published in the exhibition catalog. There was one first place award, two second place awards, three third place awards, four fourth place awards and three merit awards. The top-10 received cash awards.

Fell’s sculpture was the only three dimensional piece given an award in the top-six of the show.

“I feel very honored to be accepted among some of the best artists in Kansas, and somewhat amazed that I earned a special award ahead of some very talented people with whom I have been fortunate enough to have had as instructors,” Fell said.

"Practice, Practice, Practice" was previously shown at Cowley College during the faculty art show last fall. The work is now on display at the Hays Art Center through June 6.