The 2023 Francis K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist Scholarship recipient Tiannah Dean-Anderson with Oxford High School Art Teacher Joni Eaton. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – High school artists from across the area have the opportunity to compete for a scholarship and an opportunity to display and sell their work alongside professional artists at Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, the region’s premier arts festival.

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

Colorscape is a juried exhibition of art and fine crafts that draws upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Norwich each September. The free, family-friendly event features artist demonstrations, literary, dance, music, poetry, magic, puppets, jugglers and arts activities for all ages, along with a student art exhibit and creative food vendors. This year, the festival will take place September 7-8, 2024.

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

“This is the 15th year we’ve offered this scholarship program,” said Peggy Finnegan, Visual Arts Coordinator. “It’s a way for us to recognize the amazing talent of young artists in our area, and help them expand 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 14th.

“Each of our 2024 Francis K. Wilcox Scholarship recipients will be awarded $350 at our complimentary Awards Breakfast on the Sunday of Colorscape,” said Finnegan.

They will also receive gift certificates good for Golden Artist Colors products, and the opportunity to display and sell their work in a booth provided by Colorscape. “They have the chance to participate fully with other exhibitors, giving them the experience of taking part in a juried art festival alongside professional artists,” explained Finnegan.

Applications are available at the Chenango Arts Council and Made in Chenango in downtown Norwich, as well as Chenango County high school art departments, local public libraries, and on Colorscape’s website.

Completed applications must be mailed to: Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, Inc., Emerging Young Artist Application, P.O. Box 624, Norwich, NY 13815. Applicants should include a completed application form; a brief biography outlining their artistic accomplishments to date and plans for the future; three digital images representative of work to be displayed; and a SASE (3 oz. postage). Applications must be postmarked by 5 p.m. on June 14th, 2024.

Only digital images will be accepted for review. Jury decisions will be based on creativity, workmanship, continuity of work, and a brief written biography.

For more information, contact Peggy Finnegan, Visual Arts Coordinator, at 607-316-3212 or finnjp@stny.rr.com.

Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival: Recognized as one of the country's top 200 fine art and design classic and contemporary craft shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine, Colorscape Chenango has celebrated premier artists in downtown Norwich since 1995. This free, two-day festival in September features over 100 creators displaying and selling their paintings, sculptures, fabric art, fine crafts, photography, and more. Colorscape also offers nationally renowned musical performers, poetry and literary arts, food, and interactive art activities for all ages. The 2023 Colorscape will be held rain or shine on September 9-10 in East and West Parks in Norwich. The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Earlville Opera House.

– Information from Colorscape Chenango