Art scholarships give Sinclair students room to create

Paintings, sculptures and other works of art offer a glimpse into the creativity and perspectives of Sinclair students. Through its Art Department Scholarship Program, Sinclair recognizes student talent while helping aspiring artists continue developing their skills.

The scholarships provide financial assistance to students pursuing an Associate of Arts degree in art. According to Kelly Joslin, the Chairperson and Professor of the Art Department, the awards help cover educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books and art supplies.

**Kelly Joslin, chairperson and professor of the Art Department.** CONTRIBUTED.

“The Sinclair Art Department oversees a variety of scholarships that have been established over the years through the generosity of individuals within the community, as well as current and former Art Department faculty.” Joslin said. “These include the Burnell R. Roberts Portfolio Scholarship, the Olga Botezat Scholarship for Fine Arts Majors, and the Art Department Scholarship.” To qualify for scholarship consideration, students must be officially declared art majors, complete at least 12 credit hours of coursework and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Applicants must submit an application and a one-page statement discussing their artwork and future goals. Student art finalists also participate in a portfolio review with the Art Department chairperson and faculty. During the review, students discuss their work, educational plans and career aspirations.

Amanda Darrah, Sinclair’s galleries coordinator, coordinates exhibitions featuring pieces from portfolios submitted during the scholarship application process.

**Amanda Darrah, Sinclair’s gallery contributor and exhibition coordinator.** CONTRIBUTED.

The exhibitions rotate between the fall and spring semesters, allowing different students and artistic styles to be represented throughout the year. For Darrah, one of the most rewarding aspects of the exhibitions is seeing the variety of work students create. “Sometimes their artwork is dark and moody, sometimes it’s looking at something that people would consider beautiful and peaceful,” Darrah said. “…Even if they have the same assignment, you’re going to get a variety of different results. So continuing to see the different styles, techniques, (and) voices that they bring to the work.” Sinclair’s art department offers courses in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, printmaking, art history and visual literacy.

“Studying art is important because it encourages creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to communicate ideas visually,” Joslin said. “Through the study and creation of art, students learn to observe the world more carefully, consider different perspectives, and develop innovative approaches to expressing their ideas. These skills extend well beyond the studio and are valuable in virtually every profession.”

Through Sinclair’s classes and scholarship opportunity, students can experiment with different mediums while developing the technical and creative skills needed for a career in the arts.

“Ultimately, studying art is not simply about learning to create artwork,” Joslin said. “It is about developing the ability to think independently, communicate effectively, and contribute creatively
to the world around us.

Lisa Pinsenschaum, reporter

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