The Arts Council of Calvert County -- Scholarships

Arts Council of Calvert County

Mary Beth Harry Memorial Scholarship
2012 ARTS SCHOLARSHIP

SCHOLARSHIP PURPOSE
The purpose of the 2012 Mary Beth Harry Memorial Scholarship is to recognize the achievement of high school students who have demonstrated a love

and a talent for art. The monetary gift of the scholarship will provide financial assistance for further arts education.

APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE -- click here

BACKGROUND
The Arts Council of Calvert County, established in the 1970s, encourages, supports, and promotes the arts in Calvert County. The Arts Council works to cultivate a growing appreciation of the arts through numerous and generous grants to Calvert County public and private schools, as well as the College of Southern Maryland. In 2010, schools received over $25,000 in grants. The Arts Council is governed by a Board of Directors, including a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Arts Council oversees the implementation of various programs through the Executive Director of the Arts Council. The Executive Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations and programs of the Arts Council, and reports to the President and Board of Directors.

CalvArt Gallery, a program of the Arts Council, is located in the Arts Council offices and is staffed by member artists. Local artists are invited to become members of this cooperative gallery. Admittance is through a juried process. The Arts Council assists local artists and arts organizations by maintaining a website, an email newsletter and a media presence.

Within the CalvArt Gallery is a gallery devoted to the school children of Calvert County. On a rotating basis, art work of students is displayed. At the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Arts Council, the student gallery was named the Mary Beth Harry Student Art Gallery.

The Arts Council of Calvert County obtains financial support through the generosity of the Maryland State Arts Council, Calvert County and donations from private citizens and businesses.

MARY BETH HARRY

Mary Elizabeth (Mary Beth) Harry moved to Calvert County in 1992. Born in Baltimore in 1954, Mary Beth graduated from the Maryland Institute College of Art and developed her artistic talent for naturalistic paintings with a whimsical flare. Classically trained, she believed art should not be taken too seriously.

Joining the CalvArt Gallery in 2005 as a founding member, Mary Beth also displayed her art in galleries in Baltimore and Florida. She volunteered at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Art Center. She painted custom murals through her business, Lone Palm Murals, and created a mural for Mt. Harmony Elementary School in Owings.

Mary Beth volunteered her talents to charitable causes and painted murals for sick children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She enjoyed a number of hobbies, including traveling and spending time walking the beaches near her home at Cove Point.

The children’s book, Bay Babies, written by Cathy Green, is illustrated by Mary Beth. Bay Babies tells the stories of the creatures found in the Chesapeake Bay. From seahorses to the blue crabs that populate the waters along the Bay, Mary Beth has beautifully drawn the sea creatures as they tell their stories of survival.

At 56, Mary Beth sadly passed away due to cancer. Her work will always be cherished by those fortunate enough to have a piece of art or a mural by Mary Beth.

As a tribute to her, the Arts Council of Calvert County named the student art gallery in her honor, and through the contributions of her friends and colleagues, the Arts Council established the Mary Beth Harry Memorial Scholarship.

REQUIREMENTS
Applicant must:

1. Be a Calvert County graduating senior in good standing
2. Be recommended by a Calvert County citizen
3. Have applied to a post-secondary institution
4. Complete the following documents:

5. Include an Essay (30%) -- Write a two page essay regarding “who influenced or inspired you in your field of study?”
6 . Letters of Recommendation (3)

7. Art (40%) -- Present a finished piece of work (art, music, dance, drama) that will be judged by CalvArt artists on its originality, beauty, uniqueness, and control of medium. Student will be expected to discuss the work. For students in the performing arts area, i.e. musicians, composers, choral, dance, drama, etc., a brief performance by the student will be acceptable at the time of interviews.
8. Interview (30%) -- Candidates will be interviewed by the Arts Council Scholarship Committee as well as several CalvArt Artists.

SCREENING PROCESS
Applications will be screened by the Arts Council Scholarship Committee and a maximum of five (5) students will be selected for personal interviews. From this group of five (5) students, one (1) student will be selected as the 2012 Mary Beth Harry Scholarship Winner. Interviews will be conducted at the Arts Council Office in Prince Frederick.

AWARD AMOUNT
This is a one-time, non-renewable award of $1500.00. The award will be given directly to the student for their use.

AWARD RESTRICTION
The award may be applied to books, art supplies, fees, tuition, and room and board.

TIMELINE FOR 2012

November

Announcement of the Mary Beth Harry Memorial Scholarship and criteria to schools

January 1

Applications available and distributed to all Calvert County Public and Private High Schools and posted on the Arts Council website (www.calvertarts.org)

January 14

Formal announcement to Calvert County Teachers with scholarship details adopted by the ACCC Board of Directors

March 15

Deadline for the Arts Council to receive an original, completed application with two (2) copies (cover page, resume, essay, letters of recommendation and art*) to Arts Council of Calvert County, Attention: Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 2569, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

April 1

Personal interviews by the screening committee of the top five (5) applicants

May 1

Award recipient’s high school contacted so that the award can be published in graduation program

June** Award announcement (Presented at the Arts Council Annual Meeting)