BIG ARTS awards scholarships to 12 students
Phillips Gallery at BIG ARTS was the scene of a moving ceremony held on May 19 as 12 students received scholarship awards.
“These students are quite remarkable. They study hard, but beyond that they take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them,” said Committee Chair Shirley Jewell. “They are leaders and volunteers who have completed internships, free-lance and part-time work in the art field. They are the future movers and shakers of our artistic communities.”
These scholarships are awarded, following a rigorous interview and selection procedure, to encourage the development of artistic ability, to high school seniors and college students majoring in visual arts, music, dance, theater or film.
Scholarships are made possible by the generosity of Robert Rauschenberg, Patricia Thurber and by community support of the BIG ARTS BIG SECRET artworks event.
BIG ARTS/Pat Thurber Scholarship Trust was awarded to Eric Hopkins, Sean McDonald and Nicholas Murray.
Eric Hopkins, a resident of Fort Myers, is studying music at Florida State University in Tallahassee, where he is on the President’s List for academic achievement. Sean McDonald of Lehigh Acres has been accepted as a ballet and modern dance major at the University of South Florida. Nicholas Murray, also of Fort Myers, will begin his third year at Florida State University studying creative writing.
The BIG ARTS/Robert Rauschenberg Scholarship, was given to Andrew Corke, Michael George, Dakota Sica and Devin Harclerode.
Andrew Corke of Sanibel is studying art at Florida Gulf Coast University. He won an award for his digital photography in The Congressional Art Show, and worked for Darryl Pottorf to produce a photography show at the Guggenheim memorializing Robert Rauschenberg.
Michael George of Fort Myers continues to impress at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he is founder and publisher of ISO The Tisch Photography Magazine, featuring the work of 50 students and with articles written by and about professors, alumni, and working professionals.
Dakota Sica, a resident of Cape Coral, plans to study fine arts at Pratt Institute and is especially interested in sculpture. Fellow Cape resident Devin Harclerode will enter University of Florida in the fall, planning to major in Fine Arts as well as Art History.
Four BIG ARTS BIG SECRET Artworks Scholarships were given to Heather Cook, Blake Sobczak, James “JT” Holly and Kathryn “Kat” Wilson.
Heather Cook of Cape Coral has made the Dean’s List at Florida State University and is in the National Honor Society studying art history.
Sanibel resident Blake Sobczak finished his freshman year at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism where he was named to the Dean’s list and contributes to North by Northwestern, the university’s print magazine.
James “JT” Holly, also of Sanibel, is entering his third year as a graphic design major at Maryland Institute College of Art, and is very interested in hand-printed screen printing.
Kathryn “Kat” Wilson of Fort Myers will begin Savannah College of Art and Design this fall, planning to major in Graphic design with a minor in Fibers.
BIG ARTS Junior Scholarship winner Paul Gavin, a resident of Sanibel, is studying percussion while attending Cypress Lake High School of the Performing Arts. This award will help Paul participate in the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps in Jacksonville this summer. He performed on the marimba at the Alliance of the Arts’ Angels award ceremony last month.
For further information about BIG ARTS Scholarship program or BIG ARTS itself, or to become a member, stop by BIG ARTS, located at 900 Dunlop Road in Sanibel, call 395-0900, e-mail info@BIGARTS.org or log on to www.BIGARTS.org.