For Immediate Release

June 5, 2012

Contact: Erma Murphy

2012Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival awards four Tam High Seniors

Emerging Artist Scholarship

1st place awarded toRiley Sykes

Rowan Walton 2nd place & Emily Low Schwenk 3rd place

Michael Osborne Graphic Design Scholarship awarded to

Lucas Waldburger

Mill Valley, CA - The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival offered scholarships to two Tam High Seniors during theSeniors Award Ceremony heldin Ruby Scott Gym on May 29, 2012. In addition to thethree Emerging Artist Scholarships that started in 2010a second scholarship, the Michael Osborn Graphic Design award, was added this year.

Michael Osborn is a celebrated graphic designer based in San Francisco who has generously offered his services to the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival over the past few years. Lucas Waldburgerwas chosen by Mr. Osborn to receive the inaugural award. Lucasspent his sophomore year living with his cousins in Madrid, Spain, which he said, really broadened his spectrum of art. "Given that most exhibits are free of charge to students, I made sure to take advantage of this opportunity. Although my Spanish was pretty weak at first, my love for illustrations helped lower the language barrier. I used my artistic abilities to connect with individuals and as a way to inspire peers who shared the same interest. Lucas will be attending Santa Barbara City College next fall.

The 1st place Emerging Artist Scholarship was awarded toRiley Sykes whose current focus is on drawing."I am very fortunate to be going to Rhode Island School of Design this year. After attending their Pre-College program during the summer of 2011, I knew that RISD was perfect for me. I am apprehensive of, and looking forward to the next four years. It is a very challenging environment, and I look forward to the pressure. I can’t wait to start my arts education at RISD. I look forward to taking the first steps towards my career as an artist."

Rowan Walson (draw/paint) and Emily Low Schwenk (draw/paint) were awarded 2nd and 3rd place respectively for the Emerging Artist Award.

The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival committee is very excited to have implemented this scholarship program in 2010 and plans to continue the awards every year to two seniors and one junior who excel in the arts.The Michael Osborn Scholarship is $250 for 2D Design and the three MVFAF Emerging Artist Scholarships are$500, $100 and $50 for an Advanced Placement Studio Art student in either 2D Design, Drawing or 3D portfolio. Unlike most scholarships that go directly to the institution the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival awards aregiven as cash (check) directly to student to bebe used for tuition and art supplies.

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