Art League of the Chathams 2021 Scholarship Winner
Submitted by Ann Frommer
The Art League of the Chathams awarded their annual $1,000 scholarship to Chatham High School graduate, Ava Tesoriero. Every year scholarship winners are selected by their teacher, largely based on their interest in pursuing a career in arts.
Our scholarship winner, Ava, is not just an honor student, but an energetic young woman, whose busy schedule includes volunteerism, Girl Scouts and equestrian pursuits. She earned not only a scholarship from the Art League of the Chathams, but the Bertha Barmakian Aspiring Artist Scholarship. She was also recognized with the Prudential Community Spirit Award. She credits her art teacher, Mrs. Spaearo, as being a big influence throughout her high school journey. Mrs. Spaearo’s unselfish dedication, giving up her own personal time and staying after school, helped her.
In scouting, she received the Gold Award, the Girl Scouts highest honor. The Gold Award is earned by completing a project that can take a minimum of 80 hours. Ava’s project was the Sensory Art Program for special needs adults at Corpus Christi Church. The group is named The Chargers and Ava’s program was to create a sense of touch that would challenge them and relax them as well. Feedback for the project was very positive.
Her love of art began around the age of seven when she attended an art camp. It sensitized her appreciation of the surroundings, colors, shapes, and textures. At this art camp, she was exposed to the pottery wheel. This was the true beginning of her journey to pursue art as a career.
To unwind from her academics, her art and volunteering, she is an equestrian. Ava rides at least three times a week. Her summer is already filled with a job at a nearby camp.
Future plans are to attend Skidmore College pursuing an art major that concentrates on ceramics. Her curriculum includes a minor in art administration.
The Art League of the Chathams is a supportive community of visual artists living in the area of Chatham, N.J. The league’s mission is to nurture the artistic development of its members, to foster an appreciation of art in the community, and to have art on display in the Chatham Township Municipal Building year round. Art League of the Chathams had the honor to be awarded the Outstanding Arts Organization Award 2012. The ALC is a nonprofit organization. To learn more please visit artleagueofthechathams.org.
