The Vermeer Cat Captures Foundation Art Award

Patricia Faris knows John Tyler Community College well. In 1983, she graduated from the College with a degree in nursing. She has used that degree to develop a successful career in which she’s become a certified neuroscience registered nurse. With the encouragement of people such as her sister, Faris decided to return to John Tyler a few years ago to begin pursuing another passion – art. It’s a dream she says she’s decided to keep following because she’s learned so much and because she loves the work. “When I stop working at the hospital, I hope to make a second career of painting. I don’t know exactly what style or what subject yet, but I intend to keep on taking classes to help develop that plan,” says Faris. Her work is already gaining attention. The John Tyler Community College Foundation Board recently selected her painting, The Vermeer Cat, as the winner of the 2010 Foundation Art Award. When describing this oil on canvas work, Faris writes, “This painting was done using Vermeer’s technique and style: grisaille technique, the open window with light coming in, the oriental rug, and ‘someone’ gazing out of the window.”

“The Foundation is delighted with this year’s winning work of art. Ms. Faris’ lifelike and engaging oil on canvas shows her skill as an artist and will translate well into poster form for many to enjoy. The John Tyler Community College art program, under the leadership of Colin Ferguson, continues to gain acclaim and is recognized for its sophisticated curriculum. The Foundation’s competition for the coveted Art Award is one way the Foundation helps showcase the marvelous faculty and student talent that exists at John Tyler,” says Beverley Dew, interim executive director of the John Tyler Community College Foundation.

The John Tyler Community College Foundation Art Award was first started in 1995 to showcase the artistic abilities of John Tyler’s students while providing donors with a unique gift from the College. Once the winning entry is chosen, it is converted into a poster. The poster is used extensively in friends-raising and fundraising efforts on behalf of the Foundation and the College. The award winner receives $100, a framed and matted copy of the poster, as well as additional posters for portfolios.

The following students were finalists for the 2010 Foundation Art Award (zip codes follow each name): Faris (23112), Mary Auerbach (23832), Martha Brogley (23832), George Dodge (23831), Ian Glass (23831), Cynthia Hass (23805), Deug Kang (23831), Patricia Lamb (23860), Richard Phelps (23112), Rani Popli-Aibara (23114), Eleanor Rose (23838), Troy Sullivan (23236) and Robert Wynne (23236).