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The Suffolk Art League announced the 15 recipients of its two annual scholarship program opportunities for young artists.

Funded through private donations, students in sixth through 12th grades, whether public, private or home schooled, are eligible for one of the two scholarships to enhance their arts education and development. 

This year, Suffolk Art League received 22 combined applications submitted for the Sharon Picot and Chip Picot Scholarship and the John R. Taylor Memorial Scholarship.

The 15 award recipients were awarded nearly $6,000 through available funds. 

The Sharon Picot and Chip Picot Memorial Scholarship awards are available to youth in the following categories including visual, performing, musical, theatrical, literary, and more. 

This year’s award amount is up to $5,410.00. The recipients are:

• Ashiya Bland, a junior at Kings Fork High School, will use her award funds for Governor’s School for the Arts trips and dance tuition.  
• Zahirah Chavis, a seventh grader at John Yeates Middle School, will use her award funds for dance and music lessons. 
• Brooke Christy, a sophomore at Nansemond Suffolk Academy, will use her award funds for a summer dance intensive program.  
• Kaed Hartman, a senior at Nansemond River High School, will use his award funds for the theater program GSA fees. 
• Arianna Kerr, a senior at KFHS, will use her award funds for a writing residency.
• Mariah Marks, a sophomore at KFHS, will use her award funds for computer and writing programs.  
• Ashley Barrios-Marroquin, a senior at KFHS, will use her award funds for computer and animation programs, and art supplies.  
• Abigail Mugaisi, a seventh grader at NSA, will use her award funds for piano lessons. 
• Laura Nartey-Tokoli, a freshman at KFHS, will use her award funds for art camps and piano lessons. 
• Leann Purkey, a junior at NRHS, will use her award funds for voice lessons. 
• Savannah Lea Mae Stephens, a senior at NRHS, will use her award funds for GSA fees and theater attire. 
• Ezekiel Swindell, a freshman at NRHS, will use his award funds for GSA fees and animation software. 

The John R. Taylor Memorial Scholarship recipients are available to youth pursuing the visual arts. 

This year’s award amount is up to $540. The recipients are: 

• Olesia Jones, a senior at NRHS, will use her award funds for an art tablet and animation programs. 
• Nyleigha Johnson, a sixth grader at NSA, will use her award funds for art supplies. 
• Marissa Manfra, a seventh grader at Forest Glenn Middle School, will use her award funds for art classes and supplies. 

The Suffolk Art League officials said the generous donors, members and volunteers made these scholarships possible. 

The mission of the organization is to remove barriers to the arts for the people of Suffolk and the surrounding areas, and these scholarships are a vital part of that work. 

For information about this and other programs offered by the Suffolk Art League, visit suffolkartleague.com, email suffolkartleague.education@gmail.com or call the Suffolk Art League office at 757-925-0448 during office hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays.