NORWICH – High school artists from across the region have the opportunity to compete for a scholarship and the chance to display and sell their work alongside professional artists at the region’s premier arts festival.

“This is an opportunity for high school art students to experience the professional art world,” explained Celeste Friend, Executive Director of Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival.

Colorscape is a juried exhibition of art and fine crafts that draws upwards of 12,000 people to downtown Norwich each September. The free, family-friendly event features artist demonstrations, literary, dance, music and arts activities for all ages, along with a student art exhibit, competitive poetry slam and creative food vendors. This year, it will take place on September 9 and 10.

Through the Francis K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist Program, two high school artists will receive money for college and experience the event from the artist perspective.

“This is the 10th year we’ve offered this scholarship program,” said Friend. “It’s really a way for us to recognize the amazing talent of young artists in our area, and help them broaden their knowledge of the art world.”

To be eligible, a student must be a current junior or graduating senior; live or attend school in Chenango or an adjacent county; and be interested in careers in the arts. This includes public, private, parochial and home-schooled students living in Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Madison or Otsego counties. The application deadline is June 9th.