Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

8/22/2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - Every artist hopes to find an audience for his work. Northwestern State University student Rhett Fitzgerald has used technology to find a buyer for one of his latest works.

Fitzgerald, a graduate student from Oakdale, recently used the online marketplace eBay to sell a piece of sculpture for $5,000 to a collector in Utah. The sculpture, "Triformation" has been on display outside the A.A. Fredericks Center for Creative and Performing Arts since May. Fitzgerald created the sculpture as part of his portfolio for graduate school and didn't plan to sell it.

"I built it for fun then a friend mentioned to me I should consider listing it on eBay," he said. "I put it up then started getting e-mails from all over. I was surprised and glad to get all the feedback. One person kept asking questions and he finally decided to bid for the sculpture."

Fitzgerald plans to deliver the sculpture to the collector in Utah next week. The individual told the NSU student that a reception has been planned in his honor while he is there.

"This has made me feel good about my creative ability," said Fitzgerald. "I am my own biggest critic, but I hope I can grow from this."

According to Fitzgerald, "Triformation" is 9 feet long, 5 feet wide and 6 and a half feet tall.

"I haven't done a sculpture this size before," he said. "And I really didn't have a finished piece in mind when I started. It just came together."

Fitzgerald created "Triformation" by first making a model, then building the piece to scale in cardboard. The final work was made of steel.

For the next year, he plans to take graduate courses at NSU to build his portfolio and become more familiar with three-dimensional work. Next year, he hopes to transfer and begin working on a Masters in Fine Arts. The change to three-dimensional work is a big one for Fitzgerald, who has a bachelor's degree in graphic design.

"I wanted to be a graphic artist, but once I took my first 3-D class, I really became interested," said Fitzgerald. "My senior show was entirely sculpture which was a big decision and change of direction for me."

Since he created "Triformation," Fitzgerald has done four other sculptures. He is hopeful he can put together another show, but after that show he won't hesitate to turn to the Internet to help find another collector who is appreciative of his work.

Main Menu