England named finalist in NICHE student awards competiton

By Miranda Davis

ESU Public Affairs and Marketing

Jesse England, a student at Emporia State University, has been named a finalist in the 2006 NICHE Student Awards competition for the piece entitled “Cane Goblet” in the Glass: Functional category.

England, a sophomore art major from Council Grove, was excited to find out about the award.  “I did the rocker kick and jumped up.  I was excited because I haven’t heard of anyone else who has applied for this and was accepted,” he said. 

He said it makes him feel good to have something to be passionate about and work for.  Being a finalist for this award made the “hoops of college easier.”

The NICHE Awards program, which began in 1990, recognizes the outstanding creative achievements of American craft artists who produce work for craft galleries and retail stores.  The NICHE Student Awards program was introduced in 1996 to showcase the exceptional craft art created by students of the nation’s art schools and programs.

This year, NICHE magazine received nearly 900 student entries from over 100 schools throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Judging criteria are based on two main distinctions:

• technical excellence and creativity, both in surface design and form
• a distinct quality of unique and original, and creative thought.

Winners of the NICHE Student Awards will be announced at a ceremony during the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft on February 19, 2006.  The Awards are sponsored by NICHE magazine, the exclusive trade publication for North American retailers of American Crafts.

England will be in attendance at the Buyers Market.

“This is a huge networking opportunity for me to meet galleries and professional artist and I get to go for free,” said England.

If interested in seeing England’s work as well as other ESU student artists on display plan on attending “Romance the Mind” at Java Cat 5 on February 4th from 7-9p.m.  Artwork also by Scott Percival, Evan Markowitz, Rob Gandy and Dan Dishman in addition to England’s will be displayed throughout February.  Live music will be provided by Clearview a band that consists of England’s father and friends.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>