Sandoval Takes Best of Show at 'Fiber Focus'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 6, 2009) - Arturo Alonzo Sandoval, internationally recognized fiber artist and the Alumni Endowed Professor of Art at the University of Kentucky Department of Art, has taken Best of Show honors for his artwork on exhibit as part of "Fiber Focus 2009" at Art Saint Louis.

Sandoval was selected as the Best of Show winner for his piece "Pattern Fusion No. 9." The artwork, created in 2008, is made from recycled auto industry Mylar and recycled library 35mm microfilm. The exhibition's Best of Show award is sponsored by Cathy Barancik and Steve Novik.

Sandoval's work took Best of Show honors over eight merit award winners at the exhibition selected by juror Alice Zrebiec, a curatorial consultant based in Santa Fe and the consulting curator of textile art for the Denver Art Museum. All awards were presented during the show's opening reception held Sept. 25. The merit awards were presented in quilting, paper/book arts, creative innovations, three-dimensional, woven excellence, structural fabric, needlework and surface design categories.

Sandoval is known as one of Kentucky's most original, influential and significant artists and he continues to build an international reputation. His work, primarily in fiber arts, appears in the collections of New York City's Museum of Modern Art; the Smithsonian American Art Museum; the Indianapolis Museum of Art; the National Vietnam Veteran’s Museum; and the Speed Art Museum.

Sandoval’s art has exhibited extensively regionally, nationally and internationally and was accepted by jury into international exhibitions like the 8th and 14th Biennial of Tapestry in Lausanne, Switzerland; the Textile Triennial in Lodz, Poland; and the International Textile Competition in Kyoto, Japan. A member of the American Craft Council College of Fellows, his creative efforts have been awarded two National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Visual Arts Fellowships; NEA supported Visiting Artist Grants; two Kentucky Arts Council Al Smith Visual Arts Fellowship awards; two Al Smith Professional Service Awards; the Kentucky Craft Marketing Honorary Award; and the 2003 Governor's Award in the Arts Artist Award.  

"Fiber Focus 2009" is on view through Oct. 15, at Art Saint Louis, located in downtown St. Louis at 555 Washington Ave., #105. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information on this exhibition or Art Saint Louis, visit www.artstlouis.org or phone (314) 241-4810.