WHAT: “Ecosystem in the Design Processes,” an exhibition by the University of Iowa 3-D Design program. “Ecosystem” received the top prize at the prestigious SOFA CONNECT design competition in Chicago.

WHO: University of Iowa 3-D Design students and faculty member Monica Correia will be available to the media.

WHEN: Artists’ reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8

WHERE: Legion Arts at CSPS, 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 map

SOFA CHICAGO, the world-renowned art fair dedicated to Sculpture, Objects, Functional Art & Design, returned to Navy Pier’s Festival Hall Nov. 7-9, 2014, for its 21st year. SOFA CHICAGO is the longest continuously running, gallery-presented art fair in the city of Chicago, and one of the most successful in the country. More than 36,000 attendees from around the globe visited the 2014 fair.

CONNECT, a student design competition highlighting design and innovation, was a featured attraction at the fair. The CONNECT jury selected the University of Iowa 3-D Design Program’s exhibition as the winning entry, besting competitors from Illinois Institute of Technology, Pratt Institute; University of California, Davis; University of Cincinnati—College of Design/Architecture/Art and Planning; and University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

The 3-D Design Program in the UI School of Art & Art History is one of the most technologically advanced in the nation, using Computer Modeling, Virtual Reality, and Computer Numerical Control software to design three-dimensional objects that are “printed” using state-of-the-art equipment. The “Ecosystem” installation was created by a team of UI students led by associate professor Monica Correia.

“Just being invited to participate in SOFA CONNECT, with nationally and internationally prestigious design programs, is a huge honor,” says Correia. “To win the competition is very exciting. I’m so proud of our students, who have had such a unique educational experience here, and thankful to the university and our donors for their strong support of the deep and vibrant arts tradition at Iowa.”

The UI installation will be on display at CSPS through Sunday, Feb. 1.

MORE INFO:

CONNECT site: www.sofaexpo.com/chicago/content/2013/connect

CSPS site: legionarts.org/events/ui-3d-design-students

Video demonstrating 3-D modeling software in use at the UI: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaCTKZAk5Ug#t=21