For the third year in a row, two illustration students from the department of Art & Design at Sacred Heart University have won national recognition from The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, with their selection into the society's “West 44” exhibition. Chosen by a jury from nearly 1500 entries, the artwork will be displayed in the student section of the organization's annual professional exhibition website in May 2006. The two students, whose illustrations are also scheduled to be on display in a Culver City, California exhibition in April at the Billy Shire Fine Arts Gallery, are: Martin Kolwicz for his illustration titled “Father & Son” and Jason Roeder for his “Soul Man.”
According to Assistant Professor of Art and Design Jack de Graffenried, the students' instructor for the illustrations, recognition in this national exhibition for a third year in a row is exceptional. “The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles is one of the two most respected professional societies in the illustration field. To have two Sacred Heart University students once again recognized in this way is quite impressive,” he said. “Even more astonishing is the fact that both of these pieces represent the students' first attempt at watercolors. I am extremely proud of both Marty and Jason on their extraordinary accomplishments. This recognition certainly speaks to the quality of work not only from these students but from the department of Art & Design as a whole.”
Equally impressive, according to de Graffenried, is the quality of the judging panel. “In a juried exhibition such as this, industry professionals determine which pieces will be included in the show,” he explains. “Acceptance into this type of exhibition can be quite challenging.” The ten-person jury panel was comprised of professional illustrators, designers, art directors, animators and gallery curators. Notable among the artists' clients were Dream Works, Disney Animation, American Airlines, Nickelodeon, The Grammy Awards, “O” The Oprah Magazine, Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal, and U.S.News & World Report.
According to Jonathan Walker, chair of the Department of Art and Design, “having any student recognized by the Society of Illustrators is a remarkable achievement. Having two of our students accepted is outstanding. The department receiving recognition for three consecutive years is equally remarkable and acknowledgement at a national level of the quality of the students and the education that make up the unique experience in Art & Design at Sacred Heart University.”
As for the students, earning this recognition is an important milestone in their developing careers. Martin Kolwicz from Danbury, Connecticut, is convinced that the exhibit will bring some national attention to his work. “A lot of time and consideration goes into my work. The artwork I create is a reflection of myself, so to be recognized by the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles is truly an honor.”
Jason Roeder from Independence, Minnesota, currently a senior at Sacred Heart University, won recognition for his work, “Soul Man.” Roeder, a double major in illustration and graphic design, has set the acceptance into this society as a personal goal since his start at the University. "Making it into the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles with the first watercolor painting I've ever executed is something I am very proud of as an illustrator," said Roeder. "Having expert guidance from a professional, such as my instructor Jack, was vital in the success and outcome of the piece.”
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