"I have had the privilege of knowing Elliott Pujol for more than a decade. In addition to being a valuable reference and resource, Elliott and his wife, Barbara, have become good friends. Emprise Bank is the home of The Art of Emprise, a Kansas based regional art collection featuring more than 2,250 works by over 700 acclaimed artists. Our collection endeavors to find Kansas artists who have a national reputation for quality and innovation. Elliott Pujol certainly qualifies on both counts. Although best known for his work in copper, he also works in silver and gold.

"Though not born in Kansas, Elliott has become a Kansan by virtue of his forty-plus years of teaching and mentoring young artists at Kansas State University. He is well known for his generosity with both his time and his talent. Renowned ceramicist Marko Fields, among others, cites Pujol as an important influence in his career as an artist and teacher.

"Not only is Elliott's work a key part of The Art of Emprise, he has also been instrumental in expanding our breadth of artists, especially in metals and ceramics. Many of the nationally known metalsmiths represented in our collection, such as Harold Helwig, Brent Kington and Richard Mawdsley were recommended to me by Elliott as Kansas artists who should be in our collection. Elliott knows and is known by many of the nation's most recognized 3-D artists.

"His recognition as the 2010 Kansas Governor's Artist of the Year, the 2005 Master Metalsmith Award by the National Ornamental Museum in Tennessee, and the 2004 Outstanding Craftsman recognition by the National Endowment for the Arts speaks volumes about his value and level of respect in the arts community.

"I know many wonderful artists, but I know very few 'craftsmen.' Elliott Pujol is a great Kansas artist and craftsman."