Art Scholarship Winners Announced

Three Duluth High School seniors were announced as the winners of 2012 Duluth Fine Arts League scholarships at the conclusion of auditions Sunday (April 15) at the .

Pianist Andy Dang won the $1,500 music scholarship. Singer Benjamin Calderson, who was the runner-up for the music scholarship, earned a $1,000 scholarship.

Amanda Edwards was the winner of the $1,500 fine arts scholarship.

Winners were chosen by a panel of distinguished judges. The scholarships awarded this year represent an increase over two $1,000 scholarships presented by DFAL for each of the past two years totaling $4,000.

Mary Buck served as chair of the DFAL scholarship program with Lucille Walker as co-chair.

Six students competed in the auditions. Music competitors performed, and visual artists displayed and discussed their works.

Dang plans to attend Kennesaw State University and major in piano performance. His goal is to spread the joy of music both as a performer and teacher. Judges described his performance as “technically accurate” and “musically expressive.”

Calderson will be going to Brigham Young University-Idaho to major in vocal performance. He would like to perform vocally and teach music for band or both. Judges commented that he gave “a great performance” and has “tons of potential.”

Edwards expects to attend Georgia Perimeter College and then transfer to SCAD to major in fashion design. Her presentation was called “very expressive” with “good explanations” by judges. Amanda said she chose fashion to study because it is always changing, and it is the type of art that makes a statement. She wants to make a lasting mark on the industry with her ideas and designs.

Duluth Mayor Nancy Harris, founder and president of DFAL, emceed the auditions. DFAL was founded in 2008 to promote the arts in Duluth. Scholarship funds are raised by DFAL's annual Arts at Twilight event in July.