Lexus scholarships for the arts take environmental twist
This flower pot is an example of the creativity of an artist who gave an old car tire a new life.
After more than 10 years promoting the ideas, creativity and critical thinking of developing artists, the Lexus Artists Scholarships program has taken a new turn this year in favor of the environment. For the first time in the program’s history three scholarships will be awarded to proposals that incorporate recycled materials in their ideas.
“The Lexus Artists Scholarship program seeks applicants that help us in our mission to promote art and culture in Puerto Rico. This year there is a new dimension to the program and as a responsible corporate citizen, we believe there is potential for recycling and reuse, so we want to start contributing with this initiative,” said Maribel Bengoa, marketing manager for Lexus in Puerto Rico. “We’re seeking to draw the attention of artists who want to reinvent the wheel and turn waste into art.”
The Program awards one-year scholarships to three artists of up to $9,000 each. Artists who meet the selection criteria for this incentive will compete and if they win, must commit to creating a piede, project or collection. Artists should have five to 10 years experience and must have participated in no more than three individual and/or five collective exhibitions.
The executive also said the scholarships are “financial support for artists to realize their vision and dream.” Since its inception more than a decade ago, the program has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to more than 25 emerging artists.
Winning artists will have one year to complete their proposal, after which they will present them at the Puerto Rico Museum of Art to highlight Lexus’ contribution with the island’s arts and culture, said Bengoa.
Interested participants must complete a proposal describing their project. A guide and more information on the competition is available at www.lexus-pr.com/becas y www.fcpr.org.
