Teens get arts scholarships for study in US

(CNS): Two Caymanian teenagers have received scholarships worth a maximum of US$20,000 per year for the next four years to help cover the costs of the arts courses in the United States. 19 year old Simon Tatum and 18 year old Lorena Morejon, have been awarded the Deutsche Bank’s – National Gallery Visual Arts Scholarship so study Art History and Painting and Film, Photography and Visual Arts. Given the increased interest in tertiary arts education, the scholarship is becoming increasingly competitive, said NGCI Director, Natalie Urquhart.

“This is an unparalleled opportunity for creative young people in Cayman wishing to further their education, develop their talents, reach their potential, and in doing, enhance the community in which we live and work,” she said, adding that these two students demonstrated their passion and dedication to fine art and film studies respectively, making them very worthy recipients. 

Simon Tatum has been involved in the National Children’s Festival of the Arts and was employed by the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands as a Summer Intern in 2013. This September he begins  his second year of studies at the University of Missouri where he is majoring in Art History and Painting.

“The future of our country relies upon our ability to conserve and promote the history, culture, and heritage of the Caymanian people,” he said. “This includes the promotion of the Caymanian art and artists both within our community and abroad. As a young Caymanian and prospective artist, I hope to contribute to this area. I find myself truly blessed to have been granted the Deutsche Bank’s – National Gallery Visual Arts Scholarship, for the funds that this scholarship provides will help relieve me of a large portion of my college finances and allow me to concentrate solely on my studies. Moreover, I am grateful for the opportunity to be abroad and hope to learn as much as I can during my time there, so that I may benefit the art, culture, and community the Cayman Islands when I return.”

Lorena Morejon has already won several awards as a student of art and film. Two years ago she entered the Cayman Islands National Cultural Foundation’s Young Image Makers Short Film Competition and won two awards – the People’s Choice and Overall Winner of the competition – which entitled her to an all-expense paid trip to Manhattan to participate in the New York Film Academy summer camp. Morejon also participated in a short news broadcast contest with two other students and won first place for capturing and presenting a controversial topic, and has won high school titles for most outstanding in art, most outstanding in advanced placement art and artist of the month at Triple C School.

This September she will start her first year in upstate New York where she is pursuing a BFA in Film, Photography and Visual Arts at Ithaca College and Full Sail University.
“Words alone cannot express the gratitude that I feel for receiving the Deutsche Bank’s – National Gallery Scholarship and being able to pursue my goals at collage. I am looking forward to a great first year,” she said.

For more information about the Deutsche Bank’s – National Gallery Visual Arts Scholarship and other opportunities for students at the National Gallery, email education@nationalgallery.org.ky or call (345) 945 8111.