Six White Plains High School Students Receive $13,500 in Arts Scholarships
In its 52nd year, the White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival (WPOA) continues its tradition of awarding art scholarships to White Plains High School students who have shown exceptional talent and devotion to their art. This year, $13,500 was awarded to six WPHS seniors during a ceremony at city hall on May 20.
The scholarships are made possible by the efforts of the all-volunteer WPOAF organizing committee, which for 40 of its 52 years has donated the net proceeds of the popular Outdoor Arts Festival to the scholarship fund. The committee estimates it has awarded in excess of $160,000 over that time.
This year, the festival will be held Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Tibbits Park on North Broadway in White Plains.
There are about 70 juried artists who will display their work including jewelry, summer fashions, paintings, photographs, leather goods, textiles and ceramics among other handcrafted items.
The WPOAF scholarship winners’ work will be on display along with an emerging artists section and an area set aside for children’s art activities. Food and drink will be on sale to complete the attractions.
The 2014 scholarships were awarded to White Plains High School seniors Hannah Papadakos and Carolyn McCabe, each receiving $3,750. Margaret Marotta and Jackie Caceres each received $2,000. Josephine Adler received $1,000 and $500 was awarded to Tyeese Melton.
The scholarships will be sent directly to the college or university where the students enroll next year.
WPOAF began in 1962 as a small art show in city hall featuring local painters and has grown into a show of fine artists and craftspeople who come from near and far to show and sell their art in Tibbits Park.
The WPOAF also has become the largest source of art scholarships for White Plains High School seniors who are committed to continuing their education in the arts. Corporate sponsors provide financial support, as do local business owners and residents who make donations to become a “Friend of the WPOAF. Artist’s entry fees and an art raffle complete the funding sources.
This year’s sponsors include AKRF, Inc.; Combe, Inc.; Cuddy & Feder LLP; Hudson Valley Bank – White Plains; Inspiria Media, Jackson Lewis LLP; and Nick Wolff and the Wolff Team at Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty. WPOAF also works very closely with the City of White Plains Recreation and Parks Department, Department of Public Works and the Public Safety Department in coordinating this annual event.
For more information about the White Plains Outdoor Arts Festival visit the website at www.whiteplainsoutdoorartsfestival.com.
