The Ian M. Hassett Foundation has announced the winners of this year’s Ian Hassett Memorial Art Award: Grace Schlereth (pictured), an Ernest Righetti High School student, and Joley Smith, an Orcutt Academy student. The award is offered annually, each May, by the foundation to local high school seniors.
Artists in the competition were judged based on their abilities to project a distinct style in their works. Judges of the contest also took each artist’s goals and life aspirations into consideration. According to a statement from the foundation, Schlereth was chosen for her “excellent technical skills and attention to detail,” while Smith was chosen for her “strong voice” as well as “a maturity to her paintings.” Each artist received $1,000 from the foundation.
To find out more about the Ian M. Hassett Foundation—a local nonprofit dedicated to providing emerging Central Coast artists with scholarships, grants, awards, and other opportunities—visit ianmhassett.com. Individuals looking to support the foundation can make tax-deductible donations online.
This article appears in May 21-28, 2020.
