Announcing the winners of the 2021-2022 RFA Scholarship Competition!

On Saturday, May 14th, we awarded our winners Scholarship funds totaling $12,500! We want to thank our ten finalists for coming out to the awards ceremony, and all our entrants this year for submitting some truly amazing and inspiring work!

First Place

KHALIL MCKNIGHT

11th grade, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

Acrylic on canvas

“In Jay-Z’s The Story of OJ, he explores O.J. Simpson: a football player who was adored by White Americans but faced revulsion by the same community during his murder trial. The song’s message is that it doesn’t matter how far an African American bounds limits and expectations; to society, we are still “n***s.” I chose this song because it feels like I go through this constantly. Regardless of any President’s Lists, medals or accomplishments, I still face discrimination solely because of my skin color. To convey this, a hand representing the majority of society rips away at my powdered wig. I’m dressed in regal clothing, representing my accomplishments. Even though the hand is ripping at my identity, I still have my head up, creating a juxtaposition to society’s expected reactions. Dark colors create an anxious feeling in the eyes of viewers. I used harsh halos in the piece to not only make it interesting, but uncomfortable. These each convey the problems I face as an African American in society.”

Second Place

ELLIENA INGRAHAM

12th grade, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy

Charcoal

“Photography inspires me to push elements to display my artistic abilities to the fullest. I drew my first charcoal portrait in 10th grade. The way the charcoal would smooth over the paper and watching a face come to life with every new line or smudge was magical. Elements of photography like line, shape, light and dark inspire me. With each new curve and edge of a photograph’s lines and shapes, my eye is moved through the scene. I try to express the scene and emotion through shape and line. Form makes the image come to life. The lights and shadows of the form distort it to the viewer to show the photographer’s purpose. I aspire to show the purpose of my art through the subjects’ form. Following lines and shapes inspire the movements I make with the charcoal. The form of those shapes inspires the shading. I carve out lights and darks to take the picture from 2D to 3D. “

Third Place

ELLA STOUSE

12th grade, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

Acrylic on canvas

“At some point in their life, everyone is forced to let go of something they love. For many, it’s a person or a place, but for me, it’s a sport. It’s not just the sport itself but what comes with it: a job, friends, an emotional outlet and community. I fear that I may be forced to let it go soon. I’ve used this activity to define myself for so long. What will I be without it? While I am passionate about the sport, there is something I value even more. I’ve always used art to express my emotions and thoughts. This work is my solution. It serves as a lasting connection to the sport. I want it to convey intensity, beauty and precision. I want viewers to see my sport how I see it and to understand how the partnership between a large animal and a person can be so amazing. I want others to see how hard it is to let this go. This work is me refusing to let go of something I love.“

Fourth Place

OLIVIA BOYD

12th grade, Academy of the Sacred Heart

Colored pencil

“This is my rescue beagle. She ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, and I say that with all the love in my heart because that is her most quintessential description. She’s loud — cryin’ all the time, she’s never caught a rabbit (though she has caught several opossums), but she is a dear friend of mine. I love her in all of her hound hot diggity dog-ness. This image represents that second of anticipation before the happy frenzy that my beagle and Big Mama Thornton’s song bring to the table.“