Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara's winning student artists for 2023.
Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara's winning student artists for 2023. Credit: Isaac Hernandez
Annabel Contreras, left, Schall Family Best of Show winner, and scholarship donor Maryan Schall, flank Contreras' winning artwork of two women in ballgowns (one in pink and one in yellow), who are standing side-by-side and appear to be chatting secretively.
Annabel Contreras, left, Schall Family Best of Show winner, and scholarship donor Maryan Schall, with Contreras’ winning artwork. Credit: Isaac Hernandez

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara honored 23 student artists during a presentation and reception at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Jan. 26.

Annabel Contreras from Dos Pueblos High School was awarded the Schall Family Best of Show Prize.

The students, who were named winners of the foundation’s 2023 Art Scholarship Competition, addressed family members and supporters in the museum’s Mary Craig Auditorium. Each student will receive a scholarship, and their selected art submissions will be exhibited in the museum’s Family Resource Center through Feb. 12.

“This was our first art scholarship reception in three years, and there was a remarkable electricity in the air,” said Mary Dwyer, interim president/CEO of the Scholarship Foundation.

“The student work on exhibit was superb, and it was evident that all assembled enjoyed celebrating the students’ creative triumphs in person once again,” she said. “The Scholarship Foundation is proud to partner with area art teachers and their talented students.”

Each year the Scholarship Foundation invites high school seniors in southern Santa Barbara County to submit a portfolio of original work for its art scholarship competition. A panel of prominent local artists judge the submissions.

Judging for the 2023 competition took place Jan. 19 at the Assistance League of Santa Barbara. Ninety-seven student artists competed this year.

Each winner receives a $2,500 scholarship. The best of show winner receives an additional $1,000 scholarship. Serving as judges this year were Anthony Askew, Isaac Hernandez, and Patti Jacquemain.   

In addition to Contreras, the other 2023 art scholarship winners are:

Aya Al Sabeh (Dos Pueblos High), Ella Bailey (Santa Barbara High School), Olivia Broughton (Carpinteria High School), Logan Bryce (Dos Pueblos), Sophia Chamorro (Santa Barbara High), Emma Coombes (San Marcos High School), Avala Elwood (Providence School), Elliott Gleason (Dos Pueblos), Molly Grant (Alta Vista Alternative High School).

Also, Jonathan Guerrero Palma (San Marcos), Kassy Guinto (Providence School), Jackson Leck (San Marcos), Summer McCeney (Dos Pueblos), Andrew McEachen (Dos Pueblos), Ava Miller (Santa Barbara), Denisse Navarrete (Dos Pueblos), Ella Piersma (San Marcos).

Also, William Roberts (San Marcos), Carolina Torres (San Marcos), Kiana Torrijos (Dos Pueblos), Mia Von Protz (Dos Pueblos), and Grace Wyman (Santa Barbara).

The nonprofit Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is the nation’s largest community-based provider of college scholarships, having cumulatively awarded more than $140 million to some 60,000 county students since its founding in 1962.

The Scholarship Foundation also provides free financial aid advising services. For more information, visit www.sbscholarship.org.