DFAL to Award 3 Arts Scholarships

The Duluth Fine Arts League is increasing the chances for talented high school art students to further their education.

This year DFAL is providing three art scholarships -- two for $1,500 each and one for $1,000 -- to seniors who attend Duluth High School or who are homeschooled in Duluth. Recipients must live in Duluth.

This is an increase from two $1,000 scholarships presented for each of the past two years, according to Mary Buck, who is chairing the DFAL scholarship program with Lucille Walker as co-chair. DFAL awarded a total of $4,000 in scholarships in 2010 and 2011.

Eligible students can apply online at www.artsduluth.org. The deadline is 6 p.m. Saturday, March 31.

Categories include fine art (visual arts and photography), music, dance, and graphic arts. “Our plan is to give one scholarship in art, one in music, and another in any category,” Buck said.

Students will show or perform their art at a public audition from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 15, at New Dawn Theater in Duluth. Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris, founder and president of DFAL, will emcee the auditions. The three scholarship recipients will be selected at the conclusion of the audition, Buck said.

A panel of distinguished judges including legendary music promoter Eddie Owen, who operates the Red Clay Theatre in Duluth; actor, musical composer, pianist, and former Broadway costumer Dan Adkins, mosaic artist Jennifer Freeman, painter Kathy Fincher, North Gwinnett Middle School orchestra teacher Sarah Black, and Aurora Theatre choreographer and dance instructor Robert Egizio.

DFAL was founded in 2008 to promote the arts in Duluth. Scholarship funds are generated through the annual Arts at Twilight event in July.