(PHOENIX, Ariz., March 11, 2005) - From New York to California and abroad Eric Fischl's artwork has appeared in galleries and museums throughout the world. His international fame has not only made him a sought-after presenter and speaker, but it also has landed him and images of work in more than 400 national and international publications since 1984.

On Friday, April 8, the international artist will pay tribute to the one place that started it all - Phoenix College. As an alumnus of Phoenix College, Fischl will judge and present his scholarship, the Eric Fischl Vanguard Award, to one student artist participating in this year's Phoenix College Art Show and Competition.

"Phoenix College gave me my start and I want to honor that opportunity," said Fischl. "It is time to give back."

In addition to judging the annual art competition, Fischl will also participate in a panel discussion with other local notables for a Symposium entitled: Destination 2015: From New York to Phoenix, Visions of the Future Art Scene.

Eric Fischl will be joined by four panelists:

--Fatimah Halim - Multimedia Artist (www.ghettogirls.org);
--Roman Reyes - Art Educator and Artist (www.romanreyes.com);
--Brady Roberts - Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Phoenix Art Museum (www.phxart.org); and,
--Steve Jon Yazzie - Artist (www.stevenyazzie.com).

Before Phoenix College, Fischl admits to not even thinking about art. However, there was one instructor that stood out among the crowd, offering inspiration to many students, including Fischl.

"Merrill Mahaffey was a truly inspiring teacher and gifted artist," he said. "He created an atmosphere of congenial competition and an enthusiasm for the life and the mind."

After Phoenix College, Fischl spent a year at Arizona State University and later received a BFA at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. After graduation, he moved to Chicago where he was a guard at the Museum of Contemporary Art. While in Chicago, he also was exposed to the work of Hairy Who. During that time, his life as an artist began to unfold.

For those art students who aspire to be the next Eric Fischl, he offers the following words of advice.

"Follow your Bliss," he suggests. "Trust your instincts and always put yourself in a position where opportunity may present itself to you. Train yourself to recognize opportunity and when you see it - take advantage of it. Work hard to develop the skills necessary to express the talent you've been given and enjoy the process more than the results."

Appearing in more than 400 print publications and maintaining an exploding list of artwork, Fischl is now engulfed in and nurturing his talent.

"Talent is what you are given to nurture (or if you are an idiot, to neglect), he said. "It's a mystery as to its source. Like most artists, I feel inspiration pass through me, not come from me."

For more information about the event, please call (602) 285-7667.

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