Image 1: Alaina Hamilton, Emerging Young Artists Scholarship Winner. Image 2: Arin Miller, Emerging Young Artist Scholarship Winner. Image 3: Artwork by Alaina Hamilton. Image 4: Artwork by Arin Miller. (Submitted photos)

NORWICH – Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival is thrilled to announce Arin Miller and Alaina Hamilton as the recipients of the 2024 Francis K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist Scholarships.

This emerging artist award, aimed at recognizing and nurturing the next generation of artistic talent, celebrates Arin and Alaina for their exceptional creativity, dedication, and promise in the arts.

This past spring, high school artists from across the region had the opportunity to compete for a scholarship and the opportunity to display and sell their work alongside professional artists at this year’s Festival.

“We are incredibly proud to recognize Arin Miller and Alaina Hamilton as this year’s scholarship winners,” said Michele Ericksen, Colorscape’s Executive Director. “Their outstanding talent and dedication to their craft embody the spirit of creativity and innovation that our Festival strives to celebrate. We look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and inspire others through their art.”

Alaina Hamilton is an incoming Senior at Chenango Valley High School. “She is an incredible artist who has been creating with various mediums over the past few years,” says her CV Art Teacher, Matt Wilson. “She specializes in hyperrealism and her favorite inspiration comes from animals and still-lifes. You will be astounded by her ability to capture her subject through her artwork.”

Arin Miller is a rising Junior also at Chenango Valley High School. Teacher Matt Wilson says, “Arin loves to experiment with media and is drawn to expressive line making and oil paint. He has devoted much of his time to figure drawing and small scale studies in preparation for Colorscape weekend. His work is truly extraordinary for his age and you will find a familiar feeling to it, as he draws from both historical and contemporary inspiration.”

The Emerging Young Artists Scholarship is a cornerstone of the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival's mission to support and promote young artistic talent. Each scholarship recipient will be awarded $350 at the Festival’s Awards Breakfast and will receive a gift certificate for Golden Artist Colors products, along with the opportunity to display and sell their work in a booth provided by Colorscape.

“The Frances K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist Scholarship is now in its 12th year putting young artists in touch with professional artists in a festival environment,” said Peggy Finnegan, Visual Arts Coordinator. "In addition to broadening their knowledge of pricing, marketing and sales, they get to show and sell their artwork to the public. I am grateful to Frances Wilcox and Golden Artist Colors, who make this all possible."

For more information about Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival and the Emerging Young Artists Scholarship, please visit www.colorscape.org.

The Arts Festival was 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 2024 Colorscape will be held rain or shine on September 7-8 in East and West Parks in Norwich.

– Information from Colorscape Chenango