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EXETER —The Seacoast Artist Association has awarded ten 2023 art scholarships to high school seniors continuing with their art studies in college or university. For the last thirty-five years, their scholarship committee has worked with local public high school teachers and guidance counselors who choose a talented senior from each school.
The list of students with schools and concentration of studies are as follows:
Olivia Sousa of Epping High School will be studying fashion merchandising at Lasell University; Delaney McLynch of Exeter High will be studying environmental engineering and illustration and painting at Tufts University; Jameson Senesombath of Newmarket High School, Industrial Design at Wentworth Institute of Technology; Sofia Self of Oyster River High, studio arts at Syracuse University; Hermes Hoschek of Portsmouth High School, studio arts at New York University; Sarah Terlizzi of Sanborn Regional High, digital photography at NH University; Ken Liu of Spaulding High, graphic design at Rochester Institute of Technology; Allison Daigle of Timberlane Regional, animation at the Institute of Art and Design at New England College; Cameron Dunham of Winnacunnet High, photography, graphic design and integrated lens-based media at Montana State University in Bozeman; and Sienna Hilbourne of York (ME) High will study visual arts at Vassar.
“Through art, I can help the world become an empathetic, open, and understanding place motivated toward betterment,” write Sienna Hilbourne in her artist statement. “In my life, I have already impacted others through art by founding and running an Art Cub, starting a therapy dog program through art and design, painting murals in the middle and high schools, and making art with a purpose. I will continue to use and develop my artistic skills to make a greater impact late in my life, building empathy and community.”
SAA Scholarship Committee Chair, Maryclare Heffernan adds, “Creating and sharing art is, in a sense, an act of bravery. Our scholarship team worked with 14 seacoast area high schools in reviewing this year’s award winners. We can assure you the future of art is vibrant with fresh, beautiful and bold creations. Our gratitude and appreciation to the high school’s faculty and staff is renewed again as the artistic talent they educate and nurture again surpasses our expectations, at times taking our breath away. The SAA Scholarship Team is committed to supporting the future of the arts through this next generation of artists; knowing that art is essential in enriching and sustaining the humanity we all share.”
The Seacoast Artist Association is an all-volunteer non-profit. Donations are eligible for tax deductions and can made on their website seacoastartist.org, by mailing a check to the Seacoast Artist Association Scholarship Fund, 130 Water St., Exeter, NH 03833, or in person at the gallery. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1-4 p.m. Monthly artist receptions are held on Second Fridays, from 5-7 p.m., and all are welcome to attend.
