scholarships
Since its inception in 1916, Topeka Art Guild members have worked to build bridges between those who create art and those who can benefit from the joy art brings. Topeka Art Guild’s mission is to promote and support the visual arts and arts education through public programs, scholarships and original art exhibitions.
2025 Entries
We received the 2025 entries and have chosen those who will receive scholarships for the 2025 year. They will be awarded at the May First Friday.
Aradia Freed and Kyleigh Chrisman both from Washburn Rural will receive $1,000 scholarships. Aradia is going to the Art Institute in Chicago and Kyleigh is going to the Kansas City Art Insititute.
Brigitte Theroff from Shawnee Heights will minor in art at either Balker or Washburn University. She is our runner-up.
The 2024 Scholarship Winners were: Sydney Laster ...James Maag ...Katie Eller... Savanah Schmidt
Don't miss this WIBW feature:
https://www.wibw.com/2023/06/07/talented-seniors-win-topeka-art-contest-scholarships/
Scholarships Awarded to High School Students
One way Topeka art Guild honors its mission is by offering three scholarships to local high school students who are going to pursue art as part of their career. They have to submit examples of their work, an essay, a recommendation letter, and their transcripts to apply. This year, the scholarship money is given in honor of Louise Pansy Byrd, the grandmother of one of our artist’s, Cynthia Byrd Stotlar-Hedberg. Pansy was a self-taught artist who inspired Cynthia’s artistic endeavors. Cynthia is paying it forward by funding the scholarships as she did in 2022.
This year's entrants were:
Meredith Kucera | Washburn Rural High School | First Prize $1000 Scholarship |
Courtney Lankford | Royal Valley High School | |
Victor W Organista | Royal Valley High School | |
Addison Stofer | Christian Academy | Third Prize $300 Scholarship |
Leena Turner | Jefferson West High School | |
Lee Wolgast | Washburn Rural High School | Second Prize $500 Scholarship |