NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Ornaments decorated by Ster Dubberly, Liz Akamatsu and Sherry Ward were the top money-makers in the silent auction portion of the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts' recent fund-raiser, "Hooked on Art." During the four-week event, 24 ornaments bearing original works of art by local artists were on display at downtown business locations and at The Cole Art Center.

"The event was a great success," said Marty Prince, the group's president. "We exceeded our initial expectations by raising over $2,000 for the SFA art scholarship fund."

Dubberly used sequins and beads to create a jewel-toned landscape on her ornament, Ward painted magnolia blossoms on hers and Akamatsu incorporated her ornament into a steel and bronze sculpture.

"All of the ornaments garnered so much attention that we plan on making the fund-raiser an annual event," Prince said. "We certainly met our secondary goals of bringing the community together and drawing more attention to the downtown businesses, local artists and The Cole Art Center."

Scott Robinson, director of the SFA School of Art, said he is grateful for the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts' efforts and all of the participating artists: Liz Akamatsu, Peter and Nancy Andrew, Jeff Brewer, Shelley Brophy, Harold Coats, Christian Cutler, Ster Dubberly, Chad Erpelding, Peggy Fare, Gary Frields, Terri Gehrmann and Maki Hajikano. Also, Corrine Jones, Barry Jordan, Robert Kinsell, Karen Lostracco, Mary McCleary, Charles Newsom, Gary Parker, Marty Prince, Michelle Rozic, Sherry Ward, Katherine Worrell and Nancy Yarbrough.