One very lucky NVC student is on his way to the new Bachelor of Fine Arts program at the Southwest School of Art (SSA) in San Antonio. NVC student Juan Zavala-Castro will be attending the new private college for free starting in August!
Juan received the Margaret D. Harris Scholarship, which covers tuition, fees, books and supplies. According to the SSA's website, it costs just under $20,000 to attend the college for one year. Only three full scholarships were provided to students.
“For nearly 50 years, the Southwest School of Art has been at the center of San Antonio’s arts community,” according to college's website. “In August of 2014, the SSA will welcome its first class of Bachelor of Fine Arts students, becoming the only independent college of art in Texas.”
Juan said he was “overwhelmed” when he received the news.
“I cried, my mom cried and we all shared a group hug,” he said in an email sent to NVC Art faculty Paul Northway. “(My parents) are really proud of me and I couldn't be happier.”
Paul said Juan was a standout in his ceramics class and he helped Juan to build a strong portfolio to present to the scholarship review committee.
“NVC and Southwest School of Art's ceramics department have a close relationship,” Paul said. “I was a former full-time studio manager at Southwest, and several of our instructors teach at both institutions. We have all enjoyed watching Juan find his artistic voice, and I am confident that he will flourish there.”
On a side note, the college's recruitment video is created by Walley Films, which is owned by Mark and Angela Walley, who are NVC alumni.