MACON, Ga. – The Community Foundation of Central Georgia recently announced the recipients of the 2022-2023 William P. Simmons Art Scholarship. Anna Richards and Amanda Herrold each will receive a $2,000 one year scholarship to continue their studies in art for the next academic year.

The William P. Simmons Art Scholarship fund was established at CFCG to recognize and develop the artistic skills and talents of Georgians by awarding scholarships to art students at Wesleyan College or Mercer University in Macon, Ga. Primary emphasis is given to artists who are in their junior or senior year or in graduate school who are studying painting, drawing or other visual arts. Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at Wesleyan College or Mercer University and must be pursuing a degree in art. In addition, applicants must be referred by the art departments at their respective colleges.

Richards, a rising senior at Wesleyan College, is a studio art major who prefers to work in the mediums of painting and photography. Herrold is a rising senior at Mercer double-majoring in art and religion. Both recipients see a future centered around art as a career and passion.

As part of her questionnaire completed on her application, Richards noted that she hopes to continue “to use art as a way to engage and support the community.”

“I hope to be able to merge my experience working in philanthropy with my experience as an artist and work for an arts organization,” continued Richards. “I am really passionate about supporting artists and engaging more people in art and would love to create programs that help to grow arts and culture.”

Herrold also noted the importance of art in the deepest aspect of her life–her faith.

“My art has changed from being intensely figurative to increasing abstraction,” explained Herrold in her application. “{This is} an abstraction that will continue into my career, directly caused by the experiences and relationships I’ve had and formed during my degree. Since I am also a very spiritual and religious person, the work that has gone into my degree has been a spiritual exploration as much as it is an art exploration, and I don’t necessarily differentiate between the two.”

In addition to the scholarship award benefiting the individual student, the art department of the recipient’s school will receive a $500 award for their cooperation and support of this scholarship fund.

To find out more about this and other scholarship opportunities and how to apply, visit cfcga.org/for-students/.

Artwork by Anna Richards:

Artwork by Amanda Lee Herrold: