University of Texas Arlington

ARLINGTON - Paperweights, vases and other functional items priced at $25 or less, along with dazzling display creations priced at hundreds of dollars, will be available Friday, April 2, at the annual glass art sale at The University of Texas at Arlington.

The sale runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Studio Art Center, 810 S. Davis Drive. Patrons will have the opportunity to buy professional pieces for a fraction of what they would pay in galleries. Ample free parking is available near the building.

Patrons may bid on works in a silent auction from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The silent auction includes works by program director David Keens, a recipient of the Texas State Artist Award. Keens' work has appeared in major museums and galleries throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. One of his larger installations, "Blooms of Enlightenment," is exhibited at the Euless Public Library. View some of Keen's recent works online. www.uta.edu/art/faculty/keens_david/keens_david.htm

The UT Arlington glass art program is one of the premier programs in the country, attracting top students from across the country. The annual sale has been a major factor in the program's development. For student work, half the proceeds go to the students.

Having their work chosen for the silent auction is a rite of passage for students like Raza Shah. Shah completed his undergraduate degree last semester, but enrolled in another glass art class to build his portfolio for admission into UT Arlington's highly competitive Master of Fine Arts program.

"Silent auction pieces surpass utilitarian pieces and rise to the level of fine art," Shah said.

Shah said all of his pieces sold last year and the half of the sale price that went directly to him was a great help since he was a full-time student.

The remainder of the sales proceeds benefits the glass art program and will be used to buy materials and equipment. Faculty and staff build all of the program's state-of-the art equipment.

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The University of Texas at Arlington is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.