Anthony Michael Benedetto has been chosen to receive the Carla Miranda and Dustin Peletier Memorial Scholarship from the Philip J. Steele Arts Education Foundation! This Scholarship Award is funded by the families in loving memory of Carla and Dustin who graduated from RMCAD and dedicated their lives to art. Their family members chose Anthony among all of the applicants to give this first scholarship award to honor their daughter and son. This $3,000 scholarship award will be used at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Anthony will be a sophomore during the 2011-2012 academic year.
Anthony’s artist’s statement explains why art is an incredible force in his life. “I find that it can educate me, it can inspire me, and it can frustrate me. In The Art Spirit, Robert Henri writes, “the presence of good art will unconsciously refine a community and that poor art will do it incalculable harm.” What I have realized is that if the positive building forms and individuals are greatly impacting my way of life, then subsequently the negative deteriorating representations are equally influential. I am convinced that when something has the greatest potential for good, it is also susceptible to the greatest corruption. So my desire is to be a pillar of truth and positivity in my interpretation, creation, and contribution to the world through art. If you are not adding, you are most definitely taking away, and because I have received so much good from art, I have committed to giving that same good to others.”
Anthony’s goals as an artist are far from meek. “If I were to say it frankly, it would be “I want the world to know my work,” not for fame but for true impact and treasured accomplishment. I know I have set the greatest goal but challenge is one of my most precious possessions because only through it can you reach something you did not have before. I have committed to my education and training so that I can push forward as an artist and the Steele Foundation Scholarship would greatly aid me in these endeavors. My desire is to bless the world with amazing life and lasting joy. I want future generations to be thankful for my work as I am for that of our predecessors. In this I will have lived the life I was meant to live.”
The illustration that we chose from Anthony’s portfolio is titled “Get to Bed!” The media is colored pencil and the dimensions are 18” x 24”. This illustration was created as a class project for Life Drawing II. It is a self portrait with emphasis on an extreme facial expression. As Anthony explains “I have three small children and I wanted to convey the humor and frustration of putting them to bed at night.” We feel that he certainly conveyed these feelings with this piece!
Thank you to our artists, donors, and sponsors for your support!
To all those who contribute to the Philip J. Steele Arts Education Foundation,
I am truly grateful for the scholarship I have been awarded. It will be a great help in the pursuit of my degree and is sincerely appreciated. With this scholarship the Philip J. Steele Foundation has aided my family and I financially, but furthermore, it has given me confidence in my own abilities and the drive to continue towards their mastery.
I would like to extend a special thank you to the families of Carla Miranda and Dustin Peletier for their support of my education and their desire to encourage the arts through their generosity. It is a privilege to have been chosen to honor the memory of your children.
This scholarship has given me the freedom to direct my energies towards my work and studies, enabling me to grow and succeed as a student and, in turn, as a professional.
Sincerely,
Anthony M. Benedetto
Random PJS Testimonial: "I thank you for making it possible for me to continue with my education, and in helping to make my dreams a reality.." - Melinda Kern
