By Rama K. Ramaswamy
Wellesley Parents Supporting Art Students (WPSAS) is an organization dedicated to supporting students who are interested in participating in the fine and visual arts in the Wellesley Public Schools. Last year, WPSAS established an Emerging Artists Awards program for eighth grade students in the Wellesley Public Schools. This year, they are expanding the program to high school juniors.
A sketch by 2016 EAA Winner Bianca Falcone. The piece was completed in Life Drawing class at Danforth School of Art through the scholarship program.
The high school award will be one scholarship for an 11th grader to be used for specialized art instruction. The award is valued at $650 and may be used for portfolio development or studio art courses at MassArt.
Applications for the Middle and High School awards are available on the WPSAS website at http://www.wellesleypsas.org/emerging-artist-awards. The due date will be Friday, March 17. According to Pascale, “these scholarship programs are based on artistic interest and creativity, with specific consideration given to students who demonstrate dedication to the visual arts.” EAA-WPSAS recipients will be notified on April 17 and awardees will be congratulated publicly on Tuesday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m. during the Wellesley Public School (WPS) Student Art Show at the Wellesley Free Library.
Last year’s EAA awardees were Savannah Laffey, Ethan Lomes, Charlotte Jones, and Bianca Falcone. Each of these students received an award certificate for art classes at the Danforth Art School in Framingham.
WPSAS membership is open to all parents and guardians of children who are enrolled in the Wellesley Public Schools, WPS alumni, and friends residing outside of our town who wish to further artistic creativity in Wellesley.
