(Submitted Photo)

NORWICH – Colorscape Chenango announced the two winners of the Francis K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist (EYA) Scholarships: Mia Maiurano and Margie Winter, both of Norwich High School and taught by Wayne Franklin.

Colorscape received seven EYA scholarship applications from local high school students, including four from Norwich High School, two from Oxford Academy, and one from Morris High School – the highest total applications in the 11 years since the EYA began.

Applicants provided three photos of their work and a brief essay describing their artistic experiences and plans for the future. The winners were chosen by a panel of three jurors: John Knapp, Tresta Smith, and Elizabeth Yates.

“The Emerging Young Artist program marks our commitment to ensuring the next generation of artists is supported and nurtured, and shown how it is possible to pursue the arts, whether professionally or privately, beyond art classes in school,” explained Peggy Finnegan of Colorscape. “These artists show such promise, and by encouraging them with this scholarship and the opportunity to participate in Colorscape, we hope that they’ll continue to embrace artistic expression for the rest of their lives.”

As the EYA winners, Maiurano and Winter each will receive a $350 cash scholarship from Francis K. Wilcox and a $100 gift certificate from Golden Artist Colors. In addition, they will exhibit and sell their work at Colorscape alongside the 125 other professional artists. A committee from Colorscape is guiding them to help with pricing, display, signage, sales tax, and much more. Colorscape provides them with a tent and display equipment for their use at the festival and waives all fees. They will be located in West Park next to the Art Market.