Marwen Students at SAIC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Marwen
Brandon Hayes
312.944.2418 ext. 236
bhayes@marwen.org

SAIC
Elysia Borowy-Reeder
312.560.9780
eborow@saic.edu

MARWEN STUDENTS AWARDED FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO (SAIC)

(Chicago, IL - August 5, 2009) Marwen announces that two seniors have been admitted to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) on full-tuition scholarships. SAIC's dedication to finding students from diverse Chicago neighborhoods dovetails with Marwen's mission to provide both high-quality fine arts training and college preparation programs to under-served Chicago students. Anthony Ladson (Lindblom Math and Science Academy) and Angel Heard (Perspectives Charter School) will begin classes at SAIC in the fall, each having been awarded a Board of Governors' Scholarship. The awards are based on outstanding personal vision, distinct artistic voice, and strong academic background.

"We are delighted to offer two Marwen students full-tuition scholarships to the School of the Art Institute," said SAIC President Wellington Reiter, FAIA. "SAIC is dedicated to enrolling highly qualified applicants from a cross-section of Chicago neighborhoods. This commitment can be seen in many of the programs being conducted in our curriculum, outreach efforts, and through our Arts Education and Arts Administration Departments. As a demonstration of our interest in offering life-changing learning opportunities for high school students in Chicago, we have purposefully set aside scholarships for those students with the demonstrated ability and academic aptitude to thrive in the intense learning environment that characterizes the School of the Art Institute. Not surprisingly, several of the students who rose to the top of our admissions process are Marwen students."

"I am very proud that the School of the Art Institute has accepted two Marwen students for Board of Governors' Awards," said Marwen Executive Director Antonia Contro. "Marwen's relationship with SAIC is of primary importance for the success and completion of our mission. As proud as I am, I am even more thrilled for Anthony and Angel, and the tremendous opportunities and experiences that await them at SAIC and in their artistic future lives."

A graduate of Lindblom Math and Science Academy on the South Side, Anthony Ladson intends to pursue art history and possibly business management at SAIC; his stated goal is to someday be the director of a world-renowned museum. In addition to the many courses he took at Marwen, Ladson participated in Marwen's Artward Bound: New York City program and his work is included as part of Marwen's 2009 Holiday Card Collection.

Angel Heard recently graduated from Perspectives Charter School in Chicago. While a student at Perspectives, Angel benefited from a Master Class in Drawing led by SAIC alum, LeRoy Neiman at SAIC where she learned to hone her drawing skills. She intends to study painting and graphic design at SAIC. Heard made extensive use of Marwen's portfolio preparation and college counseling opportunities as she prepared her application for SAIC.

ABOUT MARWEN

Founded in 1987, Marwen is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the development of Chicago's under-served youth in grades 6-12 through free visual arts, college planning, and career preparation programs. In a typical year, students from 54 of the city's 57 zip codes and from more than 220 schools travel to Marwen, where they work under the guidance of professional teaching artists to build high-level technical, creative, and communication skills. Marwen offers a regular roster of college preparation courses and workshops, an intensive pre-college summer program, study trips to college campuses across the country, and unlimited individualized counseling sessions. Other opportunities for Marwen students include art-based career planning courses and workshops, paid employment opportunities, an internship program that provides on-the-job training, and an annual career day during which students meet professionals from a broad spectrum of fields, including architecture, graphic design, arts education, and filmmaking. Marwen is located at 833 North Orleans Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610. The phone number for general inquiries is 312.944.2418. Marwen is on the Internet at www.marwen.org.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO

A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to nearly 3,000 students from across the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, SAIC's educational philosophy is built upon a multidisciplinary approach to art and design, giving students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with renowned faculty who include many of the leading practitioners in their field. SAIC's resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its new Modern Wing; numerous special collections and programming venues provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. For more information, please visit www.saic.edu.