Regents award students for exceptional work in the visual arts

AUSTIN—Two students were awarded the Regents’ Outstanding Student Awards in Arts and Humanities today for their exceptional work in the visual arts by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.

Heather Mawson, a studio arts senior at The University of Texas at El Paso, was recognized for her outstanding three-dimensional work which has focused on self-image, consumerism and the inquiring of societal norms and the status quo.

Growing up in a military household, Mawson had the opportunity to travel around the globe. Constantly being exposed to different cultures, Mawson’s unique experiences influenced her curiosity and interest in the arts.

“I found that in the arts I am able to question and explore subjects in creative ways. Art is able to cross borders and communicate ideas in ways that language cannot,” Mawson said.

Much of Parsa’s work examines her place as a young Iranian-American woman with a process centered on how her own body and home space are situated within history, ritual and time. Parsa is passionate about creating this awareness and empowering communities of art beyond museums and schools. The University of Texas at Austin studio arts sophomore Haley Parsa was recognized for her outstanding two-dimensional work in a variety of mediums, including drawing, printmaking and painting.

“In all of my time as a student and artist, I have come to realize how important it is to be surrounded with support and uphold the arts," she said. "Receiving this award is an honor as I plan to continue as a working artist and a facilitator for others to be involved as well.”

The Regents’ Outstanding Student Awards program is designed to provide a framework that fosters excellence in student performance, rewards outstanding students, stimulates the arts and humanities and promotes continuous quality in education. A $1,500 monetary award will be made in the winners’ names to the academic department designated by the student.

“The arts and humanities are valued deeply in higher education and the Board of Regents is proud to honor these deserving students,” Regents Chairman Paul Foster said. “These students show commitment and talent to not only their artwork, but also their education and involvement in the community. Congratulations to this year’s winners and we wish them continued success.”

Established in February 2012, the Regents’ Outstanding Student Awards in Arts and Humanities varies each year and commends students at UT System institutions excelling in one of three disciplines: musical arts, visual arts and creative writing.

To learn more about the nomination and evaluation process or for details on past and future awards, please visit the Regents’ Outstanding Students Awards in Arts and Humanities website.

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 217,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System has an annual operating budget of $16.9 billion (FY 2016) including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With about 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates – and more than 70,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.