DEADLINE FOR 2023 SCHOLARSHIP IS APRIL 15th, 2023
INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2023 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS.
Our Art Scholarship Program allows us to fulfill part of our mission to promote education in the arts–especially pastels. Each year, we solicit high school art teachers, college art departments, and statewide arts organizations to help us find talented, dedicated students interested in pursuing a career in art at a junior or four-year college or university.
Applicants may apply for these $2000 annual scholarships as long as they fit the criteria below as set out by the Board of PSWC.
Successful candidates must:
- be planning to pursue a career in art
- be a high school senior, college freshman, sophomore, or junior enrolled in a junior or four-year accredited college or university with enrollment in an art class
- submit a digital portfolio of at least three hand drawn or painted, original artworks created by the student (no photography or digital work accepted)
- submit three letters of recommendation from an art teacher, counselor, or PSWC member (at least two from school personnel)
- submit an artist statement/essay and a fully completed application form by the April 15 deadline
Timeline:
Winter – Art department chairs, teachers, counselors and administrators within selected areas will be notified of scholarship, including application link for students.
April 15 – Cut-off date for submitting applications. Applications must be submitted via the PSWC website by April 15 to qualify.
Soon After Cut-off – PSWC Board members will review applications and select winners. All applicants will be notified of results.
Follow-up – Awardees will submit college Financial Assistance Office information and scholarship funds will be sent.
Recognition – Recipients will be recognized through multiple venues such as at the Pastels USA event in June, on the PSWC website, and in publications.
Please direct inquiries for scholarships to Pam Comfort.
Past Scholarship Winners
2022 Scholarship recipients
Sasha Mosquera, Nic Giordano
“I am elated and beyond honored to receive this scholarship. I will keep your support in mind throughout the remainder of my studies and artistic career.” – Nic Giordano, UNLV
2021 Scholarship recipients
Jude Smith, Molly Robinson
2020 Scholarship recipient
Natalie Schmidt
2019 Scholarship recipient
Maria Nunez
2018 Scholarship Recipient
Paige Baldwinson
2017 Scholarship recipient
Ambriehl Zepeda-Ruelas
Lindsay, CA
Lindsay High School
College of attendance: Porterville College
Major: Art Studies
2015 Scholarship recipient
Madeline Morgan Honeycutt
My name is Madeline Morgan Honeycutt and I am one of the 2015 recipients of the Pastel Society of the West Coast Scholarship! Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity to apply for this scholarship and the honor of receiving it. I cannot express my gratitude for your society’s support and generosity.
Again, thank you so much for this scholarship and for the wonderful opportunity that it provides.
2014 Scholarship recipient
Iris Nani Lee
Sacramento, CA
Major: Art
College of attendance: California State University at San Marcos
2013 Scholarship recipient
Fernando Navarro
Stockton, CA
Fernando wants to pursue a career in teaching art and then later to become an professor of art history.
2012 Scholarship recipient
Teagon McLarnan
El Dorado Hills, CA
Oak Ridge High School
Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
2011 Scholarship recipients
John Velickovic
Stockton, CA
University of California, Irvine
Sasha Schotzko-Harris
Galt, CA
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
2010 Scholarship recipients
Stephanie Lin
Granite Bay H.S., Granite Bay, CA
to Ex’pression College for Digital Arts
Emeryville, CA
Alison Aycrigg
Orangewood Christain H.S., Winter Park, FL
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
2007 Scholarship recipient
Holly Kimball