SEBASTIAN – The Sebastian River Art Club had a special guest at its last business meeting of the season Tuesday.
Indian River Charter High School student Asia O’Grady received the club’s annual $500 scholarship, which she plans to apply toward her classes this fall at Indian River State College, where she will be taking Art History courses.
“I’m very grateful for everything they have given me,” the 18-year-old said of the Sebastian River Art Club’s members, especially their support of her artistic career.
Members of the club also approved granting O’Grady a one-year free membership to the club. All future scholarship winners will receive the same.
O’Grady said she plans to get her Associates degree at the state college before transferring to Montreal, Quebec, in Canada, where she will study to be an art therapist.
The artist said she’s always had an interest in criminology and forensics and could become an art therapist to help those who have been incarcerated. She also is thinking about applying her art therapy to children.
“There’s a lot of things I can incorporate,” O’Grady said.
Sebastian River Art Club President Richard Gillmor presented the scholarship proclamation to the young artist, telling her that the club is pleased to do so.
“We love your work,” Gillmor said. “It wasn’t even a contest.”
He later explained that of the five candidates for the scholarship, O’Grady’s work stood well above the others.
Gillmor said the pieces O’Grady had submitted varied in their media and subject matter, each one more unique than the last.
One piece, he described, was that of a woman’s figure incorporated with hand-like shapes in a couple media.
“It was really strange,” Gillmor said.
The 5-member scholarship committee unanimously recommended O’Grady for the scholarship.
O’Grady said that she works mostly in acrylics, though she’s starting to get into watercolors. She also works in with pencils and charcoals
“It’s all very experimental,” O’Grady said.
