Bainbridge Arts & Crafts has announced the recipients of their three 2017 Art Scholarships. As springtime unfolds and students everywhere are dreaming of summer, many graduating high school seniors are dreaming of heading off to college.

For some, studying art will be a big part of that journey. BAC has long lent such aspiring artists support by awarding annual scholarships to seniors who plan to continue their art studies.

This year’s winners are: Matthew Derry, recipient of the Pauli Family Scholarship ($2,000), Maya Nathan, recipient of the Rosalyn Gale Powell Scholarship ($1,000) and Lily Forsher, recipient of the Pauli and George Dennis Scholarship ($1,000).

Scholarship submissions are judged by volunteer professional artists representing BAC. Their decisions are made on the basis of mastery of medium, creativity, presentation and an essay. This year’s judges, Elizabeth VanDuine and Carolyn Terry, did not have it easy, BAC officials said, as they reviewed portfolios and essays of 12 diverse, exceedingly talented applicants.

In a world where studying art is sometimes considered frivolous, receiving an art scholarship can be a powerful affirmation for young people who want to further their creative development, whether as a career path or as a piece of a bigger picture, BAC officials said.

Anneke Karreman, recipient of last year’s Pauli and George Dennis Scholarship, said the impact the award has made on her has been very important.

“This year has definitely been life changing for me and I have learned a lot. I would like to combine art and creative thinking with the social sciences, and social justice, with an inkling to work with nonprofits,” she said.

“I greatly value how creativity is a huge part of my thought process, and will continue to value the positive impact my experience in art has had on my life.”

This year’s scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Senior Awards Night on Saturday, June 10 at Bainbridge High School.