The DAVID AWARD...AND THE WINNER IS...

There were actually two prizes awarded last evening at the opening reception for the inaugural David Award exhibition held by the Sozo Institute of the Arts. Kristie Putt of Spruce Creek and Charles Dumas of State College split the $1000 award and were each presented with an Oscar-like statue of Michelangelo's David, in recognition of the their work. This year's awards were juried by Perry Babb and Lonnie Graham, and Keystone Business Support provided the funding support for the award.

The David Award acknowledges those artists utilizing their vision, talent and skill to produce a message and also bring creative solutions. The theme is Activist Art: Art+Message+Solution.

King David of the Bible was a warrior, a political leader, a businessperson, an architect and builder, a supporter of artists and craftsman and was himself a great artist. David wrote, played and sang timeless songs/Psalms. His psalms had message and brought healing, insight and action.

These characteristics inspired Michelangelo's 'David', whose skill and influence in the arts are world renowned.

The exhibition also includes works by Kerri Lee Smith, Stacy Glen Tibbetts, Jana Scott, Maria Posada, Melanie Mowinski, and Jenni Bateman. You can view this exhibit at Sozo, 256 East Beaver Avenue State College PA, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, April 16th.

Additional information can be found at http://www.TheDavidAward.com