News and Updates.
Always stay connected with the RFA by following us on Facebook and signing up for our Mailing List.
Kudos
Congratulations to Archbishop Shaw 10th grader Josh Nguyen for placing third and winning a $1,500 college scholarship in the 2021 Rau for Art Scholarship competition for high school students. He was among 130 teens who submitted art using the theme of “Dreamscapes.” To see his work, visit www.rauforart.com.
Source: Clarion Herald
M.S. Rau’s Rau for Art: Lighting the path for the next generation of talent
M.S. Rau on Royal Street in the French Quarter is known all over the galaxy as a premier place to purchase artifacts and fine art. They are well versed in art history, but they also know art future. Once a year, through their foundation, Rau for Art, they hold a competition to pick three high school student-artists and fuel their education with scholarship money. Zoe Johnson is the Scholarship foundation Chair and Rebecca Rau is the Executive director of Rau for art.
Usually, there is a grand luncheon to pay homage to the victors, but with this year’s coronavirus pandemic, and the necessity of social distancing, the committee had to think outside of the box. They had a genius idea to surprise the winners by showing up and putting large checks in their front lawns!
For nine years, they have chosen students who enter the contest, from the greater New Orleans area. The judges pick winners based on the submitted artwork of students and look at skill, originality and the interpretation of the yearly theme. This year the theme is “there’s no place like earth.”
Morrah Burton-Edwards is a student at Lusher Charter School and painted a piece entitled: Home and Heart, a depiction of mankind’s dependency on the natural environment. Morrah won 1500 dollars and third place. Her piece is also for sale on M.S. Rau’s website. Morrah describes her pie e by saying, “humans only have one home: Earth. It is a place that is so ingrained in our lives, it is an essential part of human life we take advantage of everyday. The earth that we live in is ingrained in our lives, and that’s what I chose to depict. A young girl is shown being made up of various imagery from planet earth, because without earth she would not exist. And without the earth she has no future, so the earth landscapes are uplifting her to the future. I included some natural and urban landscapes because people view earth in different ways. Overall I want the viewer to be reminded that we are dependent on earth and it’s beautiful features, and so we must continue to take care of it.”
Ella Bereziuk is a senior at Covington High School and won second place and three thousand dollars for her work entitled: The Story of our Mistreatment of Mother Earth. Ella Describes her piece by saying, “the earth is a wondrous place filled with vibrant colors, breathtaking views, and diverse scenery, all coming together to make a masterpiece. However, the earth today is also facing more problems than ever; including climate change, deforestation, water and air pollution, and so much more. The most concerning part about this is that we are the ones who cause our home to suffer in this way, even after we acknowledge it as an issue. My painting represents the earth as the heart of every living thing. We need it to survive and it needs our love and care to flourish. Without the pure water to circulate through the ground and the trees to keep the air clean, the heart would stop beating. Daily, animals and nature become increasingly harmed by the earth’s own children worldwide. Of all the planets in the galaxy, the earth is the one that gives us life, and that makes it quite special. My hope is that one day our planet will no longer be suffering, and instead thrive in the care it is given. My hope is that the earth and its people become one.” To make an offer on Ella’s piece you can also go to M.S. Rau’s website.
Zane Gremillon is a senior at Archbishop Shaw High School and is the winner of the the 2020 competition and was sincerely blown away. His clever parents are to be commended for holding his attention with such a good ruse. While the committee gathered at safe distance outside Zane’s house, his parents were telling Zane to get ready because a photographer was going to show up and take his graduation pictures. Zane opens his door to find a monster-sized check worth 75 hundred dollars. Zane describes his piece by saying, “art has given me the ability to perceive the world in its truest form. In its colors, radiance, and vibrancy, the world comes to life through my eyes. Art has shown me that it is crucial to be kind to yourself above all else, and in life the same rules apply. Both require focus and determination in order to be successful. Every social experience, and all of the art you create, paves the way for your growth on Earth. With this personal message in mind, I created what should be celebrated rather than destroyed. By highlighting Earth’s natural phenomena in the form of a celestial deity, my work personifies our planet and attaches a face to its uncanny beauty.”
In the past, the first place student would also get the opportunity to study art abroad. This year there is the dilemma of travel restrictions and that option is unlikely, but Director Rebecca Rau paints a poignant point, saying, “in some ways that is the beauty of art, that it can take you places. I have no doubt that Zane is a super creative guy and if he keeps producing the work, it will take him and his audience places.”
The beauty in this year’s artwork is that with a paintbrush or a pen and a bright positive outlook, anyone has the ability to paint a pretty tomorrow.
Source: WGNO
M.S. Rau’s Rau for Art: Lighting the next generation of talent
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA– M.S. Rau on Royal Street, in the French Quarter is known all over the galaxy as a premier place to purchase artifacts and fine art. They are well-versed in art history, but they also know art future. Once a year, through their foundation, Rau for Art, they hold a competition to pick three high school student-artists and fuel their education with scholarship money. Zoe Johnson is the Scholarship Foundation Chair and Rebecca Rau is the Executive Director of Rau for art.
Usually, there is a grand luncheon to pay homage to the victors, but with this year’s coronavirus pandemic, and the necessity of social distancing, the committee had to think outside of the box. They had a genius idea to surprise the winners by showing up and putting large checks in their front lawns!
For nine years, they have chosen students who enter the contest, from the greater New Orleans area. The judges pick winners based on the submitted artwork of students and look at skill, originality and the interpretation of the yearly theme. This year the theme is “there’s no place like earth.”
Source: Fox 2 Now
WGNO – Rau for Art Competition: The Next Generation of Artists
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA– M.S. Rau Antiques houses some of the most luxurious and breathtaking art for sale in the world. On any given visit to their gallery, you might see a Monet, Picasso, or Rembrandt. However, they are not solely in the business just to appreciate the art of the classical artists now in the grave. M.S. Rau opened their doors in 1912 and on their centennial anniversary, they decided to start Rau for Art; a competition between local high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
This year is their eighth year and over 150 students entered the contest. The art of the ten finalists hangs at M.S. Rau. On April 6th, three winners will be announced. Third place gets 15 hundred dollars and second place wins three thousand dollars. The lucky student that wins first place, wins a 7,500 dollar scholarship, or the option to apply that money for a two weeks study abroad experience in Italy.
There will be a grand luncheon at the M.S. Rau Antiques gallery on April 6th, where the three winners will be announced. If you hurry you can put on your french bourree hat, and head over there to see the art for yourself. You can also check it out here. This year’s theme was: Create to Motivate. The students were instructed to create art with the message of creating a better world.
One of the young artists, Helen Hoang, painted a well-known print of Louis Armstrong and titled it, “What a Wonderful World.” Hoang says art will always be a part of her, even when she graduates and starts her collegiate matriculation as a bio/pre-med student. She says, Louis Armstrong will be a great asset on her playlist, whenever she needs a positive feeling, saying, “the vibe that he sends… His music alone when you listen to it, it gives everyone a positive feeling in their heart. Do you feel the colors?”
Zoe Johnson is Senior Sales Coordinator and the Scholarship Chair for the Rau for Art Foundation. Johnson says she can feel the excitement of the kids when they walk through the gallery, saying, “it must be an incredible experience. I know the first time I walked in here, I was jaw-dropped and I studied art.”
Skylar Olano is a student that entered her, “Doubt Kills More Dreams than Failure Ever Will” painting. The painting is textured and has a Disney princess superimposed with a directional signpost. She says, “When you are a little girl, you always dream of being a princess. My dream now is to travel the world, so I wanted to incorporate both of them, so I did the silhouette of Cinderella.”
Olano found out her painting was sold, a few minutes before our interview and was pretty excited at her first art sale. saying that perhaps it’s the start of something new and maybe she can sell more!
All in all, art is a beautiful thing, especially when it changes lives.
Source: WGNO
Six JP Schools Students Named Finalists for Rau for Art Scholarship
The Rau for Art Foundation recently announced the finalists for its annual scholarship competition, and JP Schools is well represented.
Of this year’s 10 Rau for Art Scholarship Competition Finalists, six are from JP Schools. Four students from Riverdale High and two from Fisher Middle-High have been named finalists in this annual event that’s open to high school students across the region. Each JP School’s student’s name, school, and award-winning artwork is featured in the images on this page. The works from these finalists can also be seen at the Rau for Art Exhibition in the Royal Gallery at M.S. Rau Antiques.
The theme for the contest was “Create to Motivate”, and required artwork entries to include text. 1st prize will be a $7,500 scholarship or a trip to Italy. The second place winner gets a $3,000 scholarship and the third place winner gets a $1,500 scholarship. Additional funds are also awarded to go towards the school’s art department. Winners will be announced on April 6th, 2019.
Rau for Art was founded by M.S. Rau Antiques to give back to the community. The foundation provides scholarship money to students in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, and St. Charles Parish high schools.
Source: Jefferson Parish Schools
The 2017-2018 Judges
We are proud to introduce our judges for the 2017-2018 RFA Scholarship Competition!
Each year, the RFA selects prominent members of the Greater New Orleans’ community to judge the finalist entries in our Scholarship Competition. We are excited to have assembled such a wonderful and diverse group, and we are grateful for the time they volunteer to aid us in our mission of advancing arts education in our community.
Nola.com / Times-Picayune
RFA in the News
Fisher art student’s ‘dream’ reaps $7,500 scholarship
Updated Posted
Lexi Despaux, with a desk full of art supplies at her fingertips, was told to “Dare to Dream.” That was the theme of the 2016-17 Rau for Art contest. Despaux, a Fisher High School student, did just that and channeled a childhood dream…Read the rest of the story.
BIZ New Orleans
RFA in the News
The Rau for Art Foundation grants thousands of dollars in college scholarships to local high school artists in this Biz New Orleans Daily Biz Minute.
Biz Minute 4-3-17
Jefferson Parish Public Schools
RFA in the News
Rau for Art Foundation awards grant to three JPPSS high schools
June 1, 2016
Art students at three Jefferson Parish Public School System high schools will have more means to express their creativity next school year. Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, John Ehret High, and Thomas Jefferson High are three of seven area schools receiving Teacher’s Assistance Fund grants from the Rau for Art Foundation…Read the rest of the story.
Nola.com / Times Picayune
RFA in the News
Seven West Bank students make Rau Art Contest finals, five are from Fisher High School
Posted
Eric Peterson
In Hollywood, the term ‘sweeps’ applies to one film or show winning in several different categories of one award, like the musical ‘La La Land’ has won seven Golden Globe awards. Well, Fisher High art students have positioned themselves for a similar sweep in this year’s Rau for Art contest. Five of the 10 finalist spots are held by Fisher students. In addition, two Thomas Jefferson High School students made the elite list as well, giving the West Bank seven of the 10 finalist slots… Read the rest of the story.