At State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF), students who apply for financial aid in turn help other students in need of financial support. When student financial aid fees are collected, the state mandates that those funds go toward the college’s scholarship program. The State College of Florida Foundation oversees the scholarship program and the SCF Financial Aid department disperses the scholarship funds to eligible students.

Earlier this year, Art, Design, and Humanities students benefited from $1,800 worth of scholarship funding for their education. They were granted scholarships for their award-winning work in the Visual Art Student Exhibition at the Gallery at SCF Bradenton.

Graphic design student Nina DiLorenzo won the President’s Choice Award for her “The Girl in Red” digital art piece in the exhibition and was awarded a scholarship. That recognition and support have inspired her to keep designing her beloved art.

“The scholarship I received has not only helped financially support my educational pursuits but has also greatly encouraged me to continue following my passion for art,” said DiLorenzo. “Throughout the process of creating this piece, I was incredibly fortunate to have such supportive teachers guiding me through my educational and artistic journey.”

The exhibition jurors were former SCF President Dr. Carol Probstfeld and Shannon Fortner, executive director and founder of the Fabulous Arts Foundation.

Award winners included:

• President’s Choice Award – Nina DiLorenzo
• Best in Show – William Park
• Juror’s Choice – Deynira Guerrero
• Juror’s Choice – Shelbin Barragan-Hernandez
• Juror’s Choice – Cecelia Holt
• Juror’s Choice – Sofia Fenix
• Honorable Mention – Sofia Fenix
• Honorable Mention – Anna Brodil
• Honorable Mention – Juliana Tannus
• Honorable Mention – Amanda Gillick
• Honorable Mention – Isalia Luna

DiLorenzo has made a positive impression on her instructor, Brenda Harrison, graphic design assistant professor at SCF. Harrison admires DiLorenzo’s personal character and dedication to her art education.

“Nina was an absolute joy to have in class—coachable, collaborative and always kind to her peers,” said Harrison. “Seeing her celebrated for her hard work and artistic vision makes everything we do in the classroom so rewarding. I can’t wait to see where her creativity takes her next!”

The exhibition and awards marked a reawakening of these events at the Gallery.

“This was the first time since the gallery was paused in 2020, but they will be recurring,” said Perry Bentley, a 2D studio art instructor at SCF. She has managed The Gallery since August 2023.

The Gallery is located in Building 11N at SCF Bradenton. Student, faculty, and visiting artist exhibitions take place at SCF Bradenton and SCF Venice. Permanent collection objects are displayed at SCF Bradenton, SCF Venice and SCF Lakewood Ranch. A gallery advisory board monitors Bentley’s curatorial choices.

Visitors are welcome to attend the Gallery’s open hours, opening receptions, artist talks, live painting and other events at no cost. Hours of operation vary, depending on student and intern work schedules.  

The Gallery partners with various SCF areas, including the Hispanic Latino Heritage Club and Art, Design, and Humanities department recently. Bentley hopes to further develop partnerships within SCF and the community to provide more opportunities for connecting, learning and showcasing art.  

“Visual art is culture and communication,” Bentley said. “The Gallery is a space where we can share our students’ work with the community and bring the work of regional artists and their public followings into the limelight through our SCF lens. It is a place where students can access culture in a way that they may not have had access to otherwise.”