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Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council are proud to Announce the 2011 Tamima Al-Awar Memorial Scholarship Winners

Please enjoy the following articles in the Ventura Breeze (p.19) and the Moorpark Patch


From left to right: 1st Place Winner Alexandra Phelps, FOTM Founder, Donna Granata, 2nd Place Winner Haley Paul, Ventura County Arts Council Executive Director Margaret Travers, Tarek Al-Awar, 3rd Place Winner Max Perkins, Al-Awar Scholarship Founder Paula Spellman and Sheryl Al-Awar enjoying the Ventura County Government Center Awards Ceremony.

Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council are proud to announce the 2011 Tamima Al-Awar Memorial Scholarship Program award winning students. All awards were presented at the Expressions of our Youth 2011 Opening Reception and Award Ceremony at the Ventura County Government Center Thursday, March 17 at a public reception. All students participating are high school seniors from Ventura County schools.

The 2011 Tamima Al-Awar Memorial Scholarship Winners are:

Alexandra Phelps 1st Place Winner - $2,250 - Foothill Technology High School

Haley Paul - 2nd Place Winner - $1,500 - Ventura High School

Max Perkins - 3rd Place Winner - $1,250 - Moorpark High School

$150 Special Recognition Awards went to:

Myles Hacock - Royal High School

Ryan Martinez - Adolfo Camarillo High School

Lindsey Townley - Oak Park High School

$75 Honorable Mention Awards went to: 

Maria Esquer - Oak Grove School

Kelsey Martin - Foothill Technology High School

Nicole Messner - Ventura High School

Awards are based on artistic merit and commitment as demonstrated by the application, a portfolio, and essay. All applications were reviewed by the distinguished panel of jurors below:

    •    Susan Gerrard, Artist, Director of Marketing, Museum of Ventura County
    •    Robert G. Smith, Photographer, Professor of Photography Retired, Brooks Institute
    •    Richard Franklin, Artist, Retired Architect, Focus on the Masters Board Member
    •    Barbara Hirsch, Ventura County Arts Council Board Member
    •    Sheryl Al-Awar, Gallery Owner, Philanthropist

This year, the Tamima Al-Awar Memorial Scholarship Program provided $5,675 in scholarships to high school seniors who plan to pursue art in college. In addition, all students who met the application guidelines exhibit their work at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura. The exhibition Expressions of Our Youth 2011 with run through April 12 and provides the students the unique opportunity to exhibit their work in a prestigious venue and work with art professionals in a real life environment.

The Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of the following individuals and organizations:

Khaled & Sheryl Al-Awar

Paula Spellman
Pacific Western Bank

Ventura County Arts Council

Focus on the Masters

The Jessica and Stanley Prescott Trust

Roger Klausler

Margaret Travers
Barbara Hirsch

Peterson Graphics