Clayton Swartz “Swartz Art Award”

The “Swartz Art Award” is a cash award given to Pinellas county high school students for excellence in visual arts. Students in Pinellas County can apply for the Scholastic art competition due January 10th and in so doing they will be eligible for the “Swartz Art Award”

I decided that I wanted to do something to help high school students that were on the path to becoming fine artists. I am a competitor in nature so I came up with the award with the help of Sue Castleman that would be given to students that were competing in the portfolio portion of the scholastic art completion. I review the students work and I choose the winners. The amount of money and the number of awards depends on what I feel is merited (usually 2-3 winners splitting $1000. I remember back when I was a high school and college student and remember how hard it was to get the money to purchase the supplies I needed to keep creating. Hopefully these students can use this money to help in some way with their passion. My family and I are looking forward to the awards ceremony on February 11. If you are a student going for it good luck.

For information on Scholastics see link below

http://www.artandwriting.org/affiliate/FL004A