NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art invites the public to two exciting events on Friday, Dec. 4, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches, said Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries.

At 6 p.m., there will be a closing reception for the "Burnley-Schol Studios" exhibition that has been on display in the Reavley Gallery since Oct. 9. Collaborative artists Don R. Schol and Pam Burnley-Schol, both members of the University of North Texas art faculty, will be present to discuss their work.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Recent works of art by Stephen F. Austin State University graduate students will be exhibited in SFA's Griffith Gallery Tuesday, Dec. 1, through Friday, Dec. 18. An opening reception for "Attack of the Grad Show" will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.

"This is an impromptu exhibition that will give the public a chance to view the breadth of talent we have among our graduate students," said Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries.

Dr. David Creech, professor of horticulture at Stephen F. Austin State University, was awarded the Sidney B. Meadows Award of Merit, the highest honor of the International Plant Propagators' Society Southern Region, at its annual meeting in Biloxi, Miss.

Creech received the prestigious award based on his numerous contributions to the nursery industry, his students and the public, said Dr. Fred Davies, Southern Region IPPS editor.

The Orientation and Mobility Training Program at Stephen F. Austin State University was re-awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue its unique training for the blind and visually impaired through 2014.

Phi Alpha Theta, Stephen F. Austin State University's history honor society, will host a book signing for Dr. Court Carney's new book, "Cuttin' Up: How Early Jazz Got America's Ear," this week on campus.

The event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Barnes & Noble located in the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

"It is exciting," Carney said about the publication of his first book. "It is one of those projects that you work on for so long, and it seems without end." He spent two years writing the book and finished last spring.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Saxophonist Brian Utley and pianist Ron Petti, both members of the music faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University, will present a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The duo will perform Bernhard Heiden's "Sonata for Saxophone and Piano," one of the staples of the saxophone repertoire, and "Seresta No. 1" by Brazilian composer Liduino Pitombeira.

SFA School of Theatre's The Original Cast will present the musical revue "Christmas at the Movies" in W.M. Turner Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4; at 2 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Original Cast, a musical cabaret troupe from the Stephen F.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Art galleries operated by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art will be closed Sunday, Nov. 22, through Monday, Nov. 30, for the Thanksgiving holidays.

"Our galleries are normally closed on Sundays and Mondays," explained Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries, "and since SFA begins its Thanksgiving break on Wednesday, Nov. 25, we decided to close on Tuesday, Nov. 24, as well."

Ashley Currid, president of the SFA Ceramic Club, works on a handmade bowl to be sold during the club's Chili Bowl Fundraiser from 11 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, in front of Steen Library on the SFA campus. For $10, patrons receive a bowl filled with chili and a side of cornbread.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Ceramic Club at Stephen F. Austin State University will be selling handmade ceramic bowls filled with chili from 11 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov.