Society of Illustrators Names Ringling College Student Brenna Thummler as 2014 Zankel Scholar
(PRWEB) August 14, 2014 -- Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Student Brenna Thummler has been named The Society of Illustrators' 2014 Zankel Scholar. For the fourth time since the inception of the The Society of Illustrators Zankel Scholarship in 2007 a Ringling College student illustrator has been awarded the most prestigious scholarship in the discipline. The Zankel Scholar has his/her senior year supported and the two runners-up receive a cash prize.
The Zankel Scholar is chosen from illustration students in their junior year of college who have been recommended by the Chairs of their departments. These students submit a portfolio of their work along with a transcript of grades and a written statement about themselves, their art and their hopes and plans for the future. Three finalists are chosen by a jury of professionals in the field of illustration and the three finalists are brought to New York for an interview with the jury and the winner is selected. The Zankel Scholar was named in memory of Arthur Zankel, whose generous bequest has made it possible for the Society to seek, in his name, the best of the junior class and to financially support his or her senior year of college.
“The winner of the Zankel Scholarship is someone who is not only very talented and academically successful, but has the fervent objective of a career in illustration,” said Judy Francis Zankel, Past President of the Society of Illustrators. “It is a very difficult choice for the jury because the three finalists are all terrific. This year was especially tough, but Brenna was spectacular: she is like a Renaissance person: she is artistically creative, musically talented and academically excellent. But first and foremost, she has a great future as an illustrator, and we were thrilled to give her the boost of being a Zankel Scholar.”
"I never expected that 24 hours in New York City could be so life changing,” said 2014 Zankel Scholar Brenna Thummler, who is also a 2014-2015 Ringling College Trustee Scholar. “What an honor it was to be surrounded by such wonderful people, diverse gallery art and illustration history. Along with meeting two incredibly talented nominees, who I hope will remain lifelong friends, I had the privilege of dining and conversing with the judges and Society’s board of directors. They are so filled with kindness and inspiration, and their belief in me as an artist has given me much hope and anticipation for the future. I was sad to see the trip end so quickly, but I hope to be back very soon, for the Society truly is a home for all illustrators. Many thanks go out to the Ringling professors and faculty who nominated me for this scholarship, and to all my new friends who made this trip an unforgettable experience!"
According to Jeff Schwartz, Ringling College Department Head of Illustration, “The Zankel Award is the highest honor a student can receive and the Illustration department is thrilled that Brenna won the honor this year. It is a great accomplishment that Ringling has won this award 2 years in a row. Brenna is an outstanding example of the kind of student we value at Ringling College and the Society of Illustrators could not have selected a more deserving winner for this honor. Outstanding student, Town Hall Lecture Series Portrait Artist, Trustee Scholar and now the Zankel....we are looking forward to seeing what is next for Brenna.”
Brenna traveled to The Society of Illustrators headquarters in New York City, where she and the two other nominees participated in intense individual interviews and portfolio reviews with judges Gail Anderson (Art Director), Teresa Fasolino (Illustrator), Brendan Leach (Illustrator), Stephen Savage (Illustrator), and Len Small (Art Director, Nautilus Magazine).
Ringling College has had four Zankel Scholars named during the past eight years - more than any other college or university.
RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN ZANKEL SCHOLARS:
2014
Brenna Thummler, 2014-2015 Trustee Scholar
2013
Livy Long, 2013-2014 Trustee Scholar Nominee
2008
Francis Vallejo, 2008-2009 Trustee Scholar
2007
Tina Sweep, 2007-2008 Trustee Scholar
About the Zankel Scholarship
The Society of Illustrators proudly presents the Zankel Scholar named in memory of Arthur Zankel, whose generous bequest has made this scholarship possible. Mr. Zankel was a firm advocate for higher education. This is the 8th year the Society has been honored to seek, in his name, the best of the junior class and to financially support his or her senior year of college.
About Ringling College of Art and Design
Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering the Bachelor's degree in 14 disciplines: Advertising Design, Business of Art & Design, Computer Animation, Digital Filmmaking, Fine Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Motion Design, Painting, Photography & Digital Imaging, Printmaking and Sculpture. For more information, please visit http://www.ringling.edu.
Rich Schineller, Ringling College of Art and Design, +1 (941) 780-8100, [email protected]
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