David Yurman Announces Lila Reynolds From Otis College of Art and Design as Winner of Inaugural 2017 Young Artist Prize

NEW YORK, May 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- David Yurman is pleased to announce that Lila Reynolds from Otis College of Art and Design is the recipient of the David Yurman Young Artist Prize for 2017. Lila Reynolds will receive $20,000 in scholarship funds and will have her sculpture displayed in David Yurman boutiques in the Fall. In addition, Otis College of Art and Design will also receive a Master Class with David Yurman himself.

"I'm incredibly honored to be recognized by a distinguished and dedicated artist such as David Yurman," says Lila Reynolds. "During my tenure at Otis College I have worked hard to develop my skills and craft. Winning this award has truly inspired me to further continue developing my techniques as an artist and designer."

Aimilios Lo from The Cooper Union has been awarded runner-up and will receive $10,000 in scholarship funds.

The winner was chosen by a panel of notable judges in addition to David and Sybil Yurman.  Jury members included Paul Greenhalgh, Director and Professor of Art History of the Sainsbury Centre for the Visual Arts at the University of East Anglia, UK; Tara Donovan, an artist whose work is included in the collections of major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, among many others; and Hans Van de Bovenkamp, a world renowned sculptor.

About David Yurman Young Artist Prize

David Yurman, one of America's premier jewelry brands, launched the inaugural David Yurman Young Artist Prize in 2017. As a brand founded on artistic roots and a passion for artistry and innovation, this initiative supports one of the key missions of the Company to encourage young creatives in the arts and in education.

The overarching theme of the first inaugural competition was Pure Form, inspired by David Yurman's collection of the same name—a striking yet visually minimalist capsule of pieces that explores the sculptural, essential, pure qualities of metal. It is both a highly artistic and deeply personal collection, recalling Yurman's origins as a sculptor.  Prior to founding his jewelry company, David Yurman was trained as a sculptor—he studied under renowned artists including Ernesto Gonzalez, Jacques Lipschitz and Theodore Roszak.  He is constantly inspired by those early working days.

"The competition aims to support and encourage emerging young artists with an audience and platform to showcase their work," says David Yurman.  "I want to give the students confidence to continue to study art and consider a creative career.  I learned so much from my mentors about fine tuning my artistic language, and I continue to this today to reflect on their inspiration."

Participating schools included Purchase College (State University of New York); Rhode Island School of Design; Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design (University of Michigan); The Cooper Union; Otis College of Art and Design; Savannah College of Art and Design® and School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

About David Yurman 

David Yurman is the premier American luxury jewelry brand with a mission to share in life's exceptional moments. Founded by two artists, David and Sybil Yurman, in New York in 1980, artistic inspiration, craftsmanship and unconventional yet elegant designs are at the core of the brand. The marriage of David's background in sculpture with Sybil's natural understanding of color and art yields signature jewelry designs; diamond, pearl, and gemstone jewelry and Swiss-crafted timepieces that are renowned for capturing the essence of relaxed American luxury. David Yurman collections are available at 47 retail and concession locations throughout the United States, Canada, France, the Middle East and at over 350 locations worldwide, through their exclusive authorized fine jewelry and timepiece network of retailers.

SOURCE David Yurman