News

Every year VAM gives a $100 art scholarship to an outstandingly talented high school senior who plans to continue to study art in college. Students come from a different town each year and are chosen by the head of that school’s art department. This year’s recipient is Cheyanne Stunger from the Argyle Central School. Cheyanne comes with a glowing recommendation from Visual Arts Department Head Rick. L. Fleury.

“Over the last four years in high school, Cheyanne has compiled the strongest and most creative portfolio within the visual arts curriculum that I have witnessed the past forty years of teaching,” Fleury wrote. “Cheyanne represents the true caliber (scholar and artistic talent), the professional stature as a student, that colleges, universities, art schools and the work force are looking for.”

Cheyanne will be attending Bucknell University next fall majoring in fine art and minoring in computer science. One of Cheyanne’s paintings will be on display in our gallery front window later this spring.

Two of our member artists — Mary Lou Strode and Bliss McIntosh — brought work from the Market to the Schenectady Today show. If you have a few minutes, take a look at the beautiful arts and fine crafts that we have in at Valley Artisan, going strong since 1981.

Congratulations to Dustin Jaenecke, a student who graduated from Mount Anthony High School in Bennington, Vermont. He was the recipient of the annual $100 scholarship from VAM given to a promising local art student. His art teacher, who had him in an advanced calligraphy class, reported that he excelled everything given to him and was adventurous in his work. “He wasn’t planning to continue with art in college, and it is my hope that he takes this scholarship and the recognition as a gentle nudge in the direction of art. He will be attending Sage in Albany in the fall and I have encouraged him to take advantage of their art department while he’s there,” said his teacher.
“In a few months, I will be moving on to college for a degree in Computer Science,” said Dustin. “Annie, among others, has encouraged me to continue to work and expand my knowledge in art. Although I still plan on a degree in the science field, I am, and continue to be, inspired by the sheer beauty and opportunity that art has to offer, so I am going to at least try to attend some art classes while at college – the campus I am going to has a great art program, and I think that I would benefit to learn even more about calligraphy and art in general – there’s simply so much to see.”