News

Cleveland Institute of Art seniors Katherine Richards (painting), Wendy Birchfield (industrial design), and Rachel Shelton (printmaking) were recently chosen from among their peers as nominees for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio (AICUO) Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts.

This competition recognizes outstanding senior artists from independent colleges throughout Ohio who compete for a Grand Award, including a cash prize of $2,500. Portfolios of all artwork submitted by the student nominees are currently being judged by independent college faculty, community artists, art journalists, and state legislators to determine finalists for the Grand Award.

The students’ artwork is also eligible to win a People's Choice Award, chosen by visitors to the Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts Web site. The general public is encouraged to vote online at the end of February at aicuoartaward.com.

In addition to the Grand Award and the People's Choice Award, five student nominees will receive awards as competition finalists at a public reception on April 13, 2011 on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University. All nominees from around the state will have their online art portfolios available for viewing at aicuoartaward.com.

Last year, CIA seniors Andrew Kuhar (T.I.M.E.-digital arts), Lauren Juratovac (photography), and Morgan Carlson (industrial design) were nominated for the 2010 AICUO Awards; Kuhar and Carlson were among the six finalists.