Western Art Association to Include CWU Student in Local Scholarships Totaling $3000

March 9, 2007

Ellensburg, Wash. - For the first time in several years, the Western Art Association has resumed its scholarship program, which will give $1,000 each to three local students who plan to pursue an education in the arts.

The association, which sponsors the Ellensburg National Art Show and Auction, started the scholarship program in the 1990s. It gave one recipient $500 each year, but it eventually stopped the program due to lack of funding. The association reinstated it this year, and has more than doubled its scholarship fund.

"We all agreed it was a worthwhile thing to do," said JoAnn Wise, the event's coordinator and art association business director. Two local high school students, and one non-traditional Central Washington University student will be awarded scholarship funds. A non-traditional student is considered someone who is returning to school later in life.

Those funds will come from the art show's silent and quick draw auctions proceeds. The art show and auction, now in its 35th year, will run from May 18-20. It attracts up to 7,000 visitors each year and is the second-oldest Western art show in the nation.

Any Kittitas County high school student interested in applying may pick up an application from either their guidance counselor or school art director. Counselors will look over the applications and chose one student per school. Western Art Association board members will then choose the final two high school student recipients.

"Board members will base their decision on need, accomplishments, community involvement and life goals," Wise said. "The board wants to support those interested in learning about the arts, and felt this was one of the most effective ways to do that."

Only students attending high schools in Kittitas County will be considered, however their college of choice will have no effect on the board's decision.

Marji Morgan, Dean of CWU's college of arts and humanities, will choose a CWU scholarship winner. Winners will be notified ahead of time and invited to attend the auction on the evening of May 19, where their names will be publicly announced.

Those interested in applying must turn applications in to their counselors or the dean's office by April 1.

This year's art show and auction will feature 74 artist booths at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds. Visitors will find multiple forms of Western paintings, sculptures and wood carvings. Many of those pieces will be auctioned off by professional auctioneer Paul Newman of Zillah on May 19. Newman has auctioneered at dozens of local events in the past.

The three-day auction and art show will also feature Dutch oven cooking by Cle Elum's Three Peaks Outfitters. Visitors will be able to taste homemade, fresh food while learning several outdoor cooking methods.

The event's full schedule is available online at www.westernartassociation.org. A catalog with a list of all items up for auction will also be added to the site soon.

The artists' exhibit booths will be open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. May 18, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 19 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 20, and entry is always free.

Only the May 19 auction requires a ticket, which are $30 per person. Participants will get to watch the artists' quick draw, be present for the People's Choice Award, the main auction of 122 original pieces, hors d'oeuvres, a no-host bar and other events. Twenty artists will participate in the quick draw and all of their work will also be auctioned.

Make sure to purchase tickets ahead of time by calling the Western Art Association at (509) 962-2934. Prints of the art show's 2007 painting are also available at the association's office, located inside the Clymer Museum of Art at 416 N. Pearl St., in historic downtown Ellensburg. The event's painting is by Robert Krogle. It is an oil painting titled "Ride the Jagged Edge."

For more information, please contact JoAnn Wise, Western Art Association Business Director (509)-962-2934 or @elltel.net, www.westernartassociation.org.