Glass-forming students up for national award

Jesse England (l) and Scott Percival were named finalist in the 2007 NICHE Student Awards competition. Winners of the award will be announced at a ceremony in Philadelphia in February.

Two Emporia State University glass-forming students are making moves and were recently named finalists in the 2007 NICHE Student Awards competition in Philadelphia.

Jesse England, a junior glass-forming student from Council Grove and Scott Percival, a recent December graduate from Lee’s Summit were picked from a pool of nearly 900 applicants for the national award. This is the second year in a row England has been named a finalist for the NICHE Student Awards.

“It is a cool thing to be named a finalist. I you win, your name will be in the spring edition of NICHE Magazine and your image will be displayed in the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft,” England said.

Both England and Percival are in the Glass: Functional category for the competition.

A recent ESU graduate, Percival will begin in January a one-year residency at the Pittsburg Glass Center in Pittsburg, Penn.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to be selected as a finalist for such a prestigious award. I get the chance to attend a professional show and talk to vendors and have your work displayed,” Percival said. “When I found out I was a finalist I was very surprised. Out of 900 applicants I was chosen.”

England and Percival have worked together most of their academic career at ESU. “We have worked so long together, we are a team. I was excited for Scott, more than myself,” England said. “This brings positive press for the University. This emphasizes the value of our education that we have received at ESU. We have received a great reputation at ESU and it is good people outside the state are recognizing that.”

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

“We are extremely proud of our students. This is the second year in a row that a student from ESU glass has been selected as a finalist. It gives our glass program in the Department of Art additional national exposure,” said Elaine Henry, associate professor and chair of the Art Department. “The finalists will have their work published in the national publication, NICHE magazine, and their work will be juried in Philadelphia for the final award. Patrick Martin has built the glass program at ESU to a point that it is already a magnet for out-of-state students. This just reinforces that reputation.”

Winners of the NICHE Student Awards will be announced at a ceremony during the Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft on February 18, 2007.

“Anytime students are finalists in a national competition with 900 applicants, it speaks for itself,” said Patrick Martin, glass-forming professor. “This shows a university in the Midwest not known for fine arts that we have a quality program and we produce quality students and graduates.”
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.

“By both Scott (Percival) and I being recognized for our work, gives our program more value. Our program is a diamond in the rough and we want to show people the quality program and students we have at ESU.”

Last Updated July 2, 2007>