Art major awarded scholarship by Arizona Artists Guild

Art major awarded scholarship by Arizona Artists Guild

April 7, 2022

Work featured at Shemer Art Center and Museum in Phoenix

Yuma, AZ (April 7, 2022) – An art major from the Arizona Western College San Luis Learning Center and AWC Yuma Campus recently earned a scholarship for her work.

Eli Fernanda Duarte was named as the recipient of the Del Decil Scholarship for $1,000 through the Arizona Artists Guild (AAG). On Thursday, April 7, Duarte will be recognized at a scholarship recipient exhibition at Shemer Art Center and Museum in Phoenix, where her drawings will be on display until May 19.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and it makes me really glad that my work has been appreciated. I hope I can take my work even further to be able to share it with many more people,” said Duarte. “I am appreciative for the great comments I have received and the advice I had from my classmates and professors as I completed this work.”

Duarte is completing her A.A. Art-Graphics degree this spring, and will be able to use her award money to continue her college education in the fall. She will be transferring to Arizona State University to earn her baccalaureate degree in Graphic Design. Duarte is the co-chair of the San Luis Learning Center Art Club.

“Eli has excelled in every course in which I have had the privilege to be her instructor. Her work is always high quality and I am thrilled that this was recognized by this award,” said Julie Floss, Professor of Fine Arts.

The drawings Duarte submitted for the scholarship contest were created in her Drawing 2 course taught by Professor of Fine Arts Bill Blomquist.

“Eli Duarte’s drawings are intricate collages of architectural form,” said Blomquist. “Her compositions are completely original, and reveal not just a keen sense of design, but make illusive, marvelous spaces part of the real world.”

The 29th annual scholarship competition was open to both undergraduate and graduate art students. Juror decisions were based mainly on the quality of art submissions, as well as a provided statement. On average, four to six scholarships are awarded each spring. Since its inception, the AAG has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships. The Arizona Artists Guild was founded in 1928 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization led by volunteers dedicated to providing and promoting opportunities in the visual arts including exhibitions, education, and outreach programs.

Contact:
Julie Floss
Professor of Fine Arts
Arizona Western College
Julie.Floss@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9434

Contact:
Bill Blomquist
Professor of Fine Arts
Arizona Western College
Bill.Blomquist@azwestern.edu
(928) 317-6060