The West Virginia University Press and David Alcorn of Alcorn Publication Design have been selected as a winner in the American Graphic Design Award competition, for their work on WVU Presspublication Early Art and Artists in West Virginia by John A. Cuthbert.

Recognizing excellence in communication and graphic design, the award is sponsored by Graphic Design USA , a New York based magazine that focuses on all aspects of graphic design in the United States. Only 10 percent of the more than 10,000 entries were chosen as winners in the competition.

Early Art and Artists, a 300-page museum quality book, focuses on the rich art history of West Virginia. The first section of the book, which concentrates on the development of landscape and portrait art, is illustrated with over 200 full-color plates from the collections of leading institutions such as the National Gallery, Colonial Williamsburg, the U.S. Capitol Collection, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and many others. Accompanied by a number of similar, smaller illustrations, the second half of the book consists of a biographical directory of nearly 1,000 known painters who worked in West Virginia.

Designer David Alcom and Patrick Conner, director of the WVU Press, first met at the conference of the American Association of University Presses in Austin, Texas, when he was seeking new clients to develop his company Alcom Publication Design. After Conner described the contents of the art book, Alcom expressed his interest in designing it. Impressed by Alcoms creativity and his willingness to work closely with author Cuthbert, Dr. Conner chose Alcom as the designer for the WVU Presss inaugural release.

Alcorn has also designed the cover of the novel Crum, an upcoming WVU Press release about typical small-town life in West Virginia. His work on this novel as well as Early Art and Artists demonstrates his versatility and innovation in design.

Because of its recent rapid expansion, the Press has moved into new headquarters in Stansbury Hall. The new location enables the Press more room to operate efficiently as well as expand its operation, Conner said.. Last year, the press published six titles, and this coming year, he said it will publish at least eight.

An open house will be held on Friday, Oct. 5, in the WVU Press’new headquarters at 44 Stansbury Hall from 3:30-6:30 p.m.