Press release
Argent Financial Group has announced that Ruston visual artist Frank Hamrick is the recipient of this year’s Argent Fellowship for the Hambidge Center’s Creative Residency Program. He will begin his two-week residency at the Hambidge Center in July.
Hamrick is a tintype photographer and book artist, inspired by objects, the surrounding environment and the human experience. He is the Master of Fine Arts Graduate Program Coordinator and professor at Louisiana Tech University’s School of Design. Hamrick has also taught at the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina and the University of Georgia’s study abroad program in Cortona, Italy.
“I am honored to be chosen for this residency at the Hambidge Center,” Hamrick said. “I look forward to spending this time focusing on my art and creating new work.”
Hamrick was born in Georgia and grew up in the Deep South, where he started taking photographs at 10 years old. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Georgia and his Master of Fine Arts at New Mexico State University.
“We saw several great applicants for the Argent Financial Fellowship this year, but Frank’s work and passion stood out from the start,” said the Hambidge Center Executive Director Jamie Badoud. “We’re certain he will make the most of his time at the Hambidge Center, and we can’t wait to see what he creates here.”
Hamrick’s work is housed in several art museums — including The Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and The Ogden Museum of Southern Art — and his photography has been featured on several magazine, book and record covers. He is the recipient of the 2017 Houston Center for Photography Fellowship and was awarded first place in the 2017 Los Angeles Festival of Photography’s Photobook Competition.
“It is very rewarding to support yet another Ruston resident in their artistic endeavors,” said Argent Financial Group CEO Kyle McDonald. “Our community is enriched by artists like Frank, and we look forward to what he creates during his time at Hambidge.”
Residents of Ruston who work in writing, visual arts, dance, ceramics, culinary arts or music were eligible to apply for the Argent Financial Distinguished Fellowship. The program offers a $700 stipend along with a two-week residency at the Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, Georgia. All applicants were evaluated by the Hambidge Center’s panel review process.
