2013: Fourteenth Annual Gualala Arts
Young Artists Scholarships

The Gualala Arts Young Artists Scholarship Committee recently awarded scholarships to four local high school students - Iliana Sanchez, Alethea Davies, Roxane Chidlaw and Suzanne Kritz. We are delighted to be able to provide scholarships for these four excellent students who are pursuing careers in the arts, and we are grateful to the Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild for their $2,500 donation from the quilt raffle that makes these scholarships possible. The committee has also recommended that the Gualala Arts Young Artists Scholarship is continued and included in the Gualala Arts budget for the coming year since it is a very important part of the mission of Gualala Arts.

David "Sus" Susalla, Suzanne Kritz, Roxane Chidlaw, Iliana Sanchez,
Adelle Platt, Nancy Kyle, Alethea Davies, Hal Fogel

Iliana Sanchez's dream is to become an art teacher. She first attended the Gualala Arts Summer Art Camp when she was six and every year thereafter. When she was too old to attend as a camper, she became a youth leader and found that her passion in life is teaching young children. She also loves performing in the theater arts and has performed in many productions in her high school. She plans to attend City College of San Francisco. She will be only the second child in her family to attend college.

Alethea Davies is passionate about theater arts. She loves singing and acting and has performed in many productions at her high school as well as shows by Arts Center Theater. She plans to major in theater arts and minor in counseling. She will attend Santa Barbara City College to take theater and vocal classes.

Roxane Chidlaw is a talented visual artist who is interested in the themes of environmental and fashion design. She has taken many classes in the visual arts in high school and has also worked as a peer mentor. She has been accepted at Sonoma State University, where she plans to major in art and explore different paths while improving her skills.

Suzanne Kritz has been very active in musical theater and voice and has been in numerous productions in high school and by Arts Center Theater. She has also studied piano and voice. Another important part of her life is her horse which she plans to take to college with her. She has been accepted at California Polytechnic Institute where she plans to major in animal science and minor in music.

Since the Young Artists Scholarship Program was launched in 2000, Gualala Arts has encouraged local talent by awarding 47 art scholarships totaling $49,850. Awards go to young and talented graduating seniors with a strong commitment and a record of achievement and distinction in their fields of art. Eligibility also includes local residency and firm, realistic plans to further a career in the arts. Applicants submit a written application, school records, letters of support, and for the finalists bring examples of their work to an interview before the committee.

This scholarship program is a wonderful way to encourage young artists. It helps fulfill Gualala Arts' mission to promote public interest and participation in the arts. The scholarships help to support the career development of our local talent by first recognizing and honoring a young person's commitment to a chosen field of art, and second by helping with the considerable expenses of further study.

- Young Artists Scholarship Committee members Nancy Kyle, Adelle Platt and Hal Fogel.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.