Norwich, NY – Colorscape Chenango announced the two winners of the Francis K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist (EYA) Scholarships: Mia Maiurano and Margie Winter, both of Norwich High School and taught by Wayne Franklin.
Colorscape received seven EYA scholarship applications from local high school students, including four from Norwich High School, two from Oxford Academy, and one from Morris High School, the highest total applications in the 11 years since the EYA began.
Applicants provided three photos of their work and a brief essay describing their artistic experiences and plans for the future. The winners were chosen by a panel of three jurors: John Knapp, Tresta Smith, and Elizabeth Yates.
“The Emerging Young Artist program marks our commitment to ensuring the next generation of artists is supported and nurtured, and shown how it is possible to pursue the arts, whether professionally or privately, beyond art classes in school,” explained Peggy Finnegan of Colorscape. “These artists show such promise, and by encouraging them with this scholarship and the opportunity to participate in Colorscape, we hope that they’ll continue to embrace artistic expression for the rest of their lives.”
As the EYA winners, Mia and Margie each will receive a $350 cash scholarship from Francis K. Wilcox and a $100 gift certificate from Golden Artist Colors. In addition, they will exhibit and sell their work at Colorscape alongside the 125 other professional artists. A committee from Colorscape is guiding them to help with pricing, display, signage, sales tax, and much more. Colorscape provides them with a tent and display equipment for their use at the festival and waives all fees. They will be located in West Park next to the Art Market.
In her application essay, Mia Maiurano wrote, “I know that I plan to be involved with art somehow in my future. Whether I go to college to major in art or not, painting will always be something I keep myself familiar with. Over this summer, I plan to work hard on my paintings and produce as many quality pieces as possible.”
Margie Winter wrote in her essay, “Art is a major part of my life and me as a person. Not only have my skills in art grown and progressed throughout the years, art has also helped me to grow both mentally and creatively into the person I am today. I wouldn’t be where I am now without it.”
Retired Oxford Academy music teacher, Francis Wilcox, reflected on the importance of the Emerging Young Artist scholarship program, saying, “We do a lot to promote young people’s interest in other activities, like sports and music. As a former high school teacher, I want to encourage young people to develop skills in the visual arts as well, to do something with art beyond their high school experience.”
Mr. Wilcox has exhibited his own art at Colorscape in the past, and is looking forward to attending the festival’s 25th anniversary weekend. “It’s a great show,” he said. “I will certainly go and enjoy it.”
About Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival: Recognized by Sunshine Artist Magazine as #33 in the list of top 100 classic and contemporary craft shows in the country, Colorscape Chenango has been celebrating premier artists in downtown Norwich since 1995. The free, two-day festival in September features 127 creators displaying and selling their paintings, sculptures, fabric art, fine crafts, photography and more. Colorscape also offers nationally renowned musical performers, poetry and literary arts, food, and interactive arts activities for all ages. The 2019 Colorscape will be held rain or shine, September 7-8 in East and West Parks in Norwich. Media sponsors include The Evening Sun, WSKG, WRVO, WCDO, and Magic 101.7. Colorscape is made possible in part by the NewYork State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.For more information.