CWU Professors Take Honors for Art to Wear

April 8, 2005

Contact: Jessica Rossi (509-963-1493/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: rossij@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Two Central Washington University professors were among the award winners at the 8th Biennial Art To Wear Juried Exhibition at the Yakima Valley Community College Larson Gallery.

The national competition featured artwork "that adorns the body," including ornaments, garments and accessories.

Carolyn Schactler, family and consumer science professor emeritus, received an award for excellence in fabric art. Her piece, called "A Tribute to Dinotopia," was inspired by James Gurney's illustrations in his book, "Dinotopia."

It is made of a silky, light-reflective red fabric covered with a highly decorated gold fabric overlay. Elaborately hand decorated with cording, beads, metallic items and handwork, a shiny gold and red headdress tops the design.

Joan CawleyCrane, CWU art professor, also received two awards; one for her necklace and matching earring set called "Pearls of Wisdom." They were actually made of paper beads, from the pages from an old art history book, intertwined with baroque pearls.

The other award was for "A Hand Full," seven rings made from materials that ranged from elastic cord, felted wool, buttons and beads as ornament.

Schactler and CawleyCrane were among 20 award winners from eight states that split more than $3,000 in prize money. The jurors this year were artists Chris Cocklin-Ray of Mercer Island, Wash., and Yvonne Porcella of Modesto, Calif.