Several local art students were honored on May 7 at the 10th annual Joan Brace Scholarship Competition reception, hosted by the Orion Art Center.
Thirty-three graduating seniors from Lake Orion, Oxford and Stoney Creek High School entered both two- and three-dimensional artwork.
Over $3,600 was awarded to the winners in scholarship money, and their work will be on exhibit at the art center until June 7.
The Joan Brace Scholarship Award is funded by the Orion Art Center in honor of Brace, one of the founders of the OAC and an accomplished artist who was from a family of prestigious artists.
Brace had a special place in her heart for aspiring artists, and for the 10th year, the art center honored her memory, this year presenting Kelsey Beckett, of Rochester Stoney Creek, a $1,000 scholarship for her colored pencil work.
In addition to the Joan Brace Scholarship, three $500 awards were presented by Oxford Bank to Ryan Haas, of Oakland, Stoney Creek High School, metal/clay work; Andrew Walters, of Rochester, Stoney Creek High School, computer art; and Jaclyn Hilber, of Rochester, Stoney Creek High School, drawing.
Two $500 Steven J. Crowder Awards, funded by the Steven J. Crowder Memorial Fund, were also awarded to Zac Crosley, of Lake Orion, 3-D peacock dress/penny suspenders; and Angela McBride, of Lake Orion, oils and digital imagery.
Oxford resident Eugene Clark, a fine artist and instructor from the College for Creative Studies, served as juror for the competition.
Clark waived his $100 honorarium to give an award in memory of Erin Clark to Julia Cuddy, of Lake Orion High School, for her photography.
Three honorable mentions also earned art supplies donated by Geoffrey Harris and Utrecht Art Supply in Royal Oak. They were Zachary Kintz, Oxford High School, drawing; Matthew Morrison, Lake Orion, drawings and watercolor; and Andrew Stefanik, Stoney Creek, acrylic painting.
The Orion Art Center gratefully acknowledges Oxford Bank, The Steven J. Crowder Memorial Fund, Eugene Clark, and Utrecht Art Supplies for their contributions.
The Orion Art Center is proud to share the artwork of these aspiring artists with the community. Regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.