Two Housatonic Community College (HCC) students were awarded scholarships Thursday night at the annual ‘Community: Transfer Student Exhibition’ at the Hartford Art School (HAS). HCC students Luis Lopez and Rudy Feliz-Ramirez won renewable scholarships in the amount of $25,000 and $20,000 respectively to attend HAS.

In the annual juried competition, art transfer students from regional community colleges vie for tuition scholarships. Students must have declared, or plan to declare, a major in a studio art discipline. Portfolios, artist statements, letter of recommendation, and unofficial transcripts were considered.

In this fourth year of HCC participation, five students entered work into the exhibition: Aemay Dabiran, Michelle Huh, Hallie DeFilippis, Luis Lopez, and Rudy Feliz-Ramirez. All five were accepted, the highest number ever admitted from the college. The selected students exhibited their work at the Donald and Linda Silpe Gallery at the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, and were eligible to compete for the scholarship awards.

Scholarships were awarded based on carefully chosen works from each student. Three pieces were accepted and exhibited from Luis Lopez, two from Rudy Feliz-Ramirez, and one from each of the other students.

“We are very grateful to Hartford Art School for conducting this wonderful exhibition that gives our students the chance to present their work to the public in a beautiful gallery space,” said Thomas Brenner, HCC assistant professor of art & graphics, who recommended four of the students. “The generous scholarship awards open the door to future opportunities while serving as a recognition of the achievements the students have already made.”

"We congratulate all five HCC students for being selected to show their exceptional work in this esteemed exhibition," said Dr. Thomas G. Coley, Acting HCC President. "It is a testament to the quality of our education and a high honor for our students to compete, and succeed, at this level.”

The Community: Transfer Student Exhibition will be on view through March 12 at the Donald and Linda Silpe Gallery at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford.

Caption For Photo Above: Left to right, HCC students Rudy Feliz-Ramirez, Luis Lopez, Aemay Dabiran, Michelle Huh and Hallie DeFilippis were selected to display their work in the Community Transfer Student Exhibition at the Hartford Art School. Lopez and Ramirez won renewable scholarships for their entries. Photo credit Tom Brenner

Caption For Photo Right: HCC student Rudy Feliz-Ramirez with his pastel self-portrait. Photo credit Tom Brenner