By Bryan Sullivan


The versatility of the design department can now be seen in the Upton Art Gallery.

The 30th Annual Student Design Exhibition will continue to May 2 and features nearly 200 pieces.

During the reception awards were given to students in ceramics, fibers, furniture, jewelry, communication design and interior design.

Senior furniture design major Greg Koch won the Faculty Choice Award. According to the furniture design department, the award goes to the “student who has demonstrated exceptional progress in his field and who has made positive contributions to the furniture studio.”

Koch was shocked when he found out he won.

“Actually, I was really surprised,” said Koch after he found out he won. “I had no clue; it was totally out of the blue.”

The exhibition features three of his pieces; “Hypothesis,” “Rack and Roll” and “Clock 1.”

Koch finished “Hypothesis,” a wooden chair, in the fall of 2002. He credits his success to Thomas Stender, his lecturer in studio wood design.

“Tom really helped me with the finally detailed curves,” Koch said. “He made sure the curves were perfect and harmony.”

Koch also credits Stender for his work on “Rack and Roll.”

“I give a lot of credit to Stender,” he said. “I was in the major for two years, interest snowballed for me; I give a lot of credit to him.”

The first annual John J. Jauquet Student Awards for Creative Excellence were given out to students in ceramics, furniture, jewelry, communication design, and interior design.

According to the design department, the award was established to honor Professor Emeritus John J. Jauquet, who served on the design faculty for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2000.

Senior jewelry design and merchandising major Elizabeth Wetzler won the jewelry award. She, like Koch, was surprised when she found out about her victory.

“I was very surprised,” Wetzler said. “To be in the show in this year, I was thrilled.”

The exhibition features five of Wetzler’s pieces.

“Candlestick,” a two-and-a-half pound candlestick, taught Wetzler how to use her arms and back while working.

“Trying to manipulate metal was not easy,” she said. “I learned to use my back and arms together.”

“Ring” was finished just before the show and just managed to get in. Wetzler thinks there are times when spontaneity works over planning.

“Sometimes inspiration from the seat of your pants is better than planning,” she said.