5 UCF students who took their passions about art into the community were selected to be part of the William and Alice Jenkins Community Arts Scholars program in August 2018 for their outstanding partnerships with creative organizations. The students are Leven Parguian, a junior majoring in Character Animation, Lisa Lapenna, a junior majoring in BA Art History, Alexandra Schouten, a senior in the Graphic Design BFA program, Jerryan Ramos, a senior majoring in BA Art History and Alyssa Garoogian, a second year graduate student pursuing an MFA in Animation.
“When the Jenkins Community Art Scholars position was posted, I knew I wanted to extend what involvement I already had through UCF [and] even my friends urged me to apply,” Alex Schouten stated. As an aspiring curator, Schouten is involved in marketing, the gallery and grant writing departments at the Crealdé School of Art in Winter Park. “As an already active participant in the art community, Crealdé has helped expose me to more professional relationships and curatorial experiences in a nonprofit context,” Schouten says. Her daily activities consist of collaborating with the marketing manager and other interns about ideas for promotional materials.
As Jenkins Community Arts Scholars, these students have increased the relationship between UCF and Orlando’s ever-growing art community. “My favorite part about working at the school is that I get to be a part of almost all the departments because they all go hand in hand,” says Schouten. “Something that most people might think is overwhelming, but I think it’s exciting!”
The Jenkins Community Art Scholars program is seeking new applicants who demonstrate outstanding analytical skills and possess knowledge about art history, studio art or art education for the upcoming summer and fall 2019 semesters. If you are interested, contact associate professor Kevin Haran at [email protected].