Art Thursday Group Creates Scholarship Fund

 Christiansted stores, galleries and fine jewelers who host the popular Art Thursday event have established a scholarship fund to encourage the next generation of young St. Croix artists. The Art Thursday Scholarship Fund has been established to assist high school seniors with the challenging costs of pursuing a visual arts education at a higher level. Art Thursday Scholarship is open to all public, private and parochial high school seniors on St. Croix. The scholarship award is based on a combination of artistic skill and academic achievement. Funds will be generated through sales of a fine art poster featuring the chosen senior’s artwork.

This year’s poster features the work of artist Whitly Charles, a 17 yr. old senior at the St. Croix Educational Complex and student of well-known artist, John Jones. Whitly’s enchanting and colorful piece is entitled “Day And Night” and is available at the Art Thursday participating stores and galleries: Art @ Top Hat, Crucian Gold, D&D Studio, Danica Art Gallery, Designworks, The Goldworker, ib designs, Maria Henle Studio, Maufé Gallery, SAKARI, Watch Your Step Art Studio, and Yellow House Gallery.

Whitly has been active in creating art since she was young and completed Advanced Placement art classes in her junior year at Complex. She has also been a volunteer at the Caribbean Museum Center of the Arts. This past summer Whitly went to Savannah College of Art and Design for a one week program on an art scholarship from St. Croix Foundation. Whitly is planning on continuing her education in art and plans on pursuing graphic design.

In May 2010 a Student Art Show will be held on Art Thursday to highlight artwork submitted for consideration for the next Art Thursday Scholarship Fund recipient. For more information please contact, danicaart@yahoo.com, or nathantherese@gmail.com.