Three works by Texas National first-place artist Victoria Gonzales.

Three works by Texas National first-place artist Victoria Gonzales.

Artwork by Texas National second-place artist Chelsie Murfee.

Artwork by Texas National second-place artist Chelsie Murfee.

Artwork by Texas National third-place artist Linda Reymore.

Artwork by Texas National third-place artist Linda Reymore.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The winning artist in the 2020 Texas National Competition and Exhibition at Stephen F. Austin State University is Boerne artist Victoria Gonzales.

The announcement was made recently on the SFA School of Art website, which also features a short walk-through video of this year’s exhibition in The Cole Art Center @ the Old Opera House, SFA’s historic downtown art gallery. Annette Lawrence, professor of studio art in the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas, judged the entries with the assistance of a video.

“Our juror for this year’s Texas National has taken a slightly different approach in making awards,” said John Handley, director of SFA galleries. “Rather than choosing individual works of art, she chose instead to make the awards to individual artists who have pieces in the exhibition – a nice switch, I think. So please welcome the virtual awards video posted on our website.”

Second-place artist was Chelsie Murfee of Nixa, Missouri, and third place went to Linda Reymore of Stuart, Florida. Honorable mention awards were presented to Mick Burson of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Amy Broderick of Jupiter, Florida; and Richard Parker of Pasadena, California.

The video can be accessed on Facebook at SFA Art Galleries & Cole Art Center and at art.sfasu.edu. A different artist is featured periodically on Facebook, showcasing their images, titles, medium and the artist statement, if provided. A brief video of Lawrence announcing the winners is also featured on the Facebook page.

For more information, call (936) 468-1131.