Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts and Nacogdoches Art League are showcasing works by local artists, art league members and SFA faculty in "Art, Culture and Community" currently on display at The Ed and Gwen Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

"In conjunction with the recent renaming of SFA's art center and in recognition of the crucial role Ed and Gwen Cole continue to play in supporting SFA and the arts, we wanted to create an appreciation exhibition that integrates the entire Nacogdoches artists community," said Marty Prince, president of the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts.

"The exhibition also serves as a visual thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to support the center with their art, attendance, service and monetary contributions," Prince continued.

The show, which includes the art league's 2008 juried exhibition, "Cultivating the Spirit of Art," and works by other local artists and SFA faculty members, is on display in the downstairs Jack and Doris Ledbetter Gallery and the upstairs corridor.  It will run through Sunday, July 27.

"We are fortunate also to be concurrently exhibiting the Nacogdoches Photographic Association's 'Faces: a Juried Exhibition" in the upstairs Florence Wilson Reavley Gallery," said Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries.  "Visitors to the center literally will be surrounded by East Texans' art."

The Cole Art Center is open from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.  Admission is free.  For more information, please call (936) 468-1131.