Press Room Item
Lambert, Edwards & Associates and Kendall College Develop Scholarship Commission Program for Students
07 November 06
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., November 7, 2006 – Lambert, Edwards & Associates (LE&A), a leading Midwest public relations and investor relations firm, today announced the winners of its first-ever original art scholarship competition—Kendall College of Art and Design students, Scott Naylor, EntroPR, and Doug Wilkerson, Alfred. Both created mixed media reliefs and have been awarded $1,000 and $500 scholarships, respectively. The works will be featured as part of the agency’s permanent collection.
LE&A approached professors at Kendall College at the start of the fall 2005 semester with the idea for a purchase scholarship competition aimed at generating original artwork that would best reflect the agency’s work. Students were encouraged to interview LE&A partners and staff to understand the organization’s day-to-day activities, as well as its client base.
“The goal of this scholarship competition was to create an original statement about our business and our agency that would speak to the strategic and creative work we do for our clients,” said Jeff Lambert, founder and managing partner of LE&A. “At the same time, we saw an opportunity to partner with Kendall College and invest in the next generation of artists by providing real-world experience.”
The scholarship competition was open to Kendall students campus-wide. Professors were also welcome to assign the opportunity as a class requirement. The contest required a quarter-scale maquette of an original, wall-hung sculpture submitted to the school’s Sculpture and Functional Art Department for judging. The department chose five models to present to LE&A.
“Lambert Edwards provided the perfect opportunity for students to translate what they learned in the classroom to a real-life commission and installation of a public sculpture,” said David Greenwood, professor of fine arts at Kendall College of Art and Design. “The students had to effectively balance the needs and desires of the client with their visions. We are grateful to LE&A for this opportunity and hope to see more companies take this kind of initiative in the future.”
After LE&A selected the first- and second-place winners, the two artists were asked to make full-scale submissions of their pieces, with LE&A covering all production costs. Kendall Senior Scott Naylor was awarded the first-place, $1,000 scholarship for EntroPR, which currently hangs in the main lobby of LE&A’s office. Kendall Junior, Doug Wilkerson, was awarded the second-place $500 scholarship for Alfred, which hangs in the north hallway of LE&A’s office.
Sculpture Facts- EntroPR, Scott Naylor
(Mahogany, Aluminum, LED light)- EntroPR is comprised of two hemispheres made of solid mahogany. Extruded aluminum tubing protrudes from the hemispheres in every direction. The ends are capped with white LED lights, which also round the base of the mahogany centers.
The artist designed the piece to represent the relationship between LE&A and its clients.
“Each piece can stand independently, but in proximity, they work together to create opportunities for greater success,” said Naylor.
- EntroPR is comprised of two hemispheres made of solid mahogany. Extruded aluminum tubing protrudes from the hemispheres in every direction. The ends are capped with white LED lights, which also round the base of the mahogany centers.
- Alfred, Doug Wilkerson
(Wood, Copper, Painted Ceramic)- Alfred features two distinct pieces forming one concept. On the left, a ceramic head is turned inward. On the right, a head faces forward, allowing the world to see its features.
“The first source, on the left, is chaos, where information needs order and a plan; the head is contemplative. The second source, on the right, describes multiple sources and questions the validity of information. The head on the left is looking forward and less anonymous, putting a face to all of us striving for more out of a hectic world. This second visual is where clarity is achieved, which is something LE&A brings to its clients,” said Wilkerson.
- Alfred features two distinct pieces forming one concept. On the left, a ceramic head is turned inward. On the right, a head faces forward, allowing the world to see its features.
Scott Naylor graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture and functional art from Kendall. During the competition, he was in the process of working on his senior thesis on lights and sounds. Following graduation, Naylor started his own business, Phonic Solutions, where he specializes in custom audio in sculptural form.
Doug Wilkerson is a non-traditional student with a previous career in a non-art-related field. At the time of the competition, he was enrolled in Functional Art II. He is currently in his junior year at Kendall as a Sculpture and Functional Art major.
About Lambert, Edwards & Associates
Lambert, Edwards & Associates (www.lambert-edwards.com) is West Michigan’s leading public relations firm and the largest investor relations firm in the state, serving more than 80 clients in 19 states. Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., LE&A works extensively with middle-market companies and national brands in three primary practice groups: Business & Financial Communications, Healthcare & Technology, and Consumer.
