NORWICH – As the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival celebrates its 20th year, it also provides a platform for high school students to receive scholarships and present their artwork alongside other artists. The Francis K. Wilcox Scholarship will be awarded to two emerging young artists who will receive $350 each. Each winner will also receive a $100 gift certificate, which will be redeemable for Golden Artist Colors products. The festival is scheduled for Sept. 6-7, 2014, in downtown Norwich.
The scholarship application deadline is June 13 and is open to students who will be juniors and seniors during the 2014-15 academic year. Those students located in Chenango County or bordering counties are encouraged to apply, including students from private schools or those who are home-schooled. A jury experienced in the arts will review each application before determining the winners. “Jury decisions will be based on creativity, workmanship, continuity of work, and a written biography,” states a Colorscape press release.
Francis Wilcox, the man behind the Wilcox scholarship, worked as a high school music teacher for most of his career. “I thought it would be nice for art students and would give them a chance to explore their field,” he said when explaining the reasoning behind starting the scholarship.
Wilcox has always had an interest in the arts and is working on an associate's degree in fine arts. He is just one of the 120 artists who will have work on display at the festival. He enjoys bringing his work to the festival, which consists of rural, regional pieces done in acrylic and water color. Wilcox explained he has a great deal of respect for the festival and feels it is a good opportunity for the scholarship awardees. Each scholarship recipient will be provided a booth of his or her own for display and will participate fully with other exhibitors. “They really try to maintain standards,” said Wilcox when describing the quality of artwork at the festival.
Peggy Finnegan, executive director of the festival, explained that this is the fifth year of the scholarship program. While the scholarship is relatively new, she has been with the festival since its inception and has seen it grow in popularity and acclaim each year. Beyond the artwork on display, Finnegan also plans to have live music, a student show, poetry and a dance display, among other fun activities.
“The 20th Annual Colorscape will feature a line-up of acoustic music arranged by the Night Eagle Productions – a feature for which Colorscape has become known,” states the Colorscape website.
