Larsson Wins Madison Art Scholarship

Madison: Open for Art awarded its first scholarship to Vendela Larsson, a 19-year-old senior.

The non-profit organization held a reception at the Provident Bank Thursday to honor Larsson and welcome artists and residents.

Larsson was selected from a group of five Madison High School students whose portfolios were judged by Madison: Open for Art organizers Shawn Backe and Ira Black, and Deborah Starker, president of the Madison Arts & Culture Alliance. 

Black said Larsson’s eight-piece portfolio “clearly showed her sophistication as an artist and how she is creating art that is striking.”

Starker was impressed with Larsson’s artist statement. “She talked about being an artist and a having sense of space,” Starker said. “It wasn’t just about creating art, but discussing where it will be placed: outdoor, public, or private.” She added “the final decision was hard because there is an amazing body of work at the high school.”

Larsson plans to use the scholarship money toward tuition, books or supplies next year.

“I like the pieces I make because of the vision I had for them,” Larsson said. “It’s nice to have someone else share that with you.”

Larsson’s art teacher of four years, Kathryn Cimis-Debiasse, said her role was to inform students of the competition and help them with their applications and portfolios. However, she did not participate in the final decision. In fact, she was not in the room on Tuesday when the portfolios were presented to the judges at the high school. 

Cimis-Debiasse said five students applied for the scholarship which was designed for seniors intending to major in art and design in college. “We have a very strong program at the school. There are a number of very talented students,” Cimis-Debiasse said.

“Vendela has always been very hard working and has been recognized in a variety of different art shows, so this is wonderful outcome,” Cimis-Debiasse added. “Vendela is incredibly talented." Referring to one of Larsson’s watercolors Cimis-Debiasse said, “The colors she captured on the snow are just incredible and her ability to render sea color and translate that into her art is extraordinary.”

The funding of Larsson’s scholarship will come from the sales of artists’ work that has been displayed in Madison businesses throughout May. A portion of the sales, 40%, will go to the scholarship fund, the artist will keep 40%, and the remaining 20% will go toward fees to run the exhibit. MOA is also selling T-shirts for $20 to benefit the scholarship fund.

The exact scholarship amount will be determined by June 16 when Madison High School will hold its award ceremony at Fairleigh Dickinson University.   

At least one painting, “Portrait of Mykonos” by Danielle Auriemma-D’Amico, has been sold. It is currently displayed at the Provident Bank.

Shawn Backe of iLOVit Gallery came up with the concept of Madison:Open for Art, according to Black. Backe and Black have worked together on other endeavors.  They brought their vision to join artists with local business and the community to both MACA and the Chamber of Commerce.

“We wanted to put together a showcase for local artists to display their work in downtown stores around Madison,” Black said. “We were able to accomplish that, and the other piece was a portion of the proceeds of the sale of that artwork would then go to fund the scholarship.”

Black said Madison: Open for Art has a circular effect because it allows local artists to connect with businesses which then support the township. Artists have the opportunity to network with each other and it all flows back to the emerging new talent through the scholarship.

“Vendela has her whole art future ahead of her, so it’s an amazing experience,” Black said.