Crystal Walters, a Rogers State University junior from Pryor, Okla., was chosen as a Higher Education Cultural Roundtable Student Art Patron of the Year.
The Roundtable consists of administrators and professors from Rogers State University, the University of Tulsa, Northeastern State University, Langston University, Oral Roberts University and Oklahoma State University who support the growth and quality advancement of arts in the area.
Walters was one of only two students from all participating institutions to receive this honor. Madeline McKeever of the University of Tulsa received the first place award.
Walters’ award further adds to her impressive list of regional awards she has received while at RSU. She recently won the “People’s Choice Award” at the Tulsa Artists’ Coalition Annual Member Show and received one of the two prestigious Alpha Rho Tau scholarships of 2011. She also was awarded the RSU Study at Large Italy scholarship and received top honors at both the 2011 Art On The Hill competition and the 2011 RSU Student Competition.
Walters has shown her art at Living Arts of Tulsa, Metro Art Gallery and several other regional galleries. She also has served on the board for the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteered to do media and architectural photography.
Last summer, she taught photography for the Pryor Area Arts and Humanities Council and saw her students improve tremendously.
“I was shocked at the innovative and insightful photographs that one of her 10-year-old students produced,” said Gary Moeller, department head and professor of fine arts.
In addition to being a full-time student, Walters works for the Department of Fine Arts maintaining the photo labs and assisting students with technical questions.
After she graduates from RSU, she plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at TU and then pursue opportunities in teaching and exhibitions.
By Monique Demarais, RSU PR Intern