Red Raven Art Gallery, 138 N. Prince St., Lancaster, has announced the recipients of its scholarships, which it awards to student artists each year. Aubrey Magagna and Lucy Smucker, who are both seniors at Lampeter-Strasburg High School, each received a scholarship. Magagna and Smucker will be individually featured in an exhibit at the gallery this summer.

Magagna was awarded the Red Raven Art Company Scholarship, which the gallery created when it first opened its doors 16 years ago. To be considered for the scholarship, Magagna submitted a slide presentation of her artist statement alongside still-life works and a portfolio of 10 art pieces, which she selected with the help of her art teachers. She began creating art at a young age, and although she primarily works with fine pens, watercolor paints and colored pencils, Magagna said that she likes to experiment with a variety of mediums to carry out her vision for each piece. "I admire how subjective art can be. When showing viewers my pieces, I want the work to be as interpretive as possible," Magagna said. "Whether it is a feeling, a memory or a materialistic form, I want my pieces to inspire introspection or contemplation in the viewer." Magagna plans to attend Kutztown University to study art education after high school.

Smucker was awarded the Mitch Lyons Clay Scholarship, which was created in memory of the late Mitch Lyons in 2018. To be considered for the scholarship, Smucker submitted an artist statement and a portfolio of her work, which she said that she curated with the assistance of her art teachers. Smucker has been drawing and painting since she was young but decided to further develop her artistic skills and she has accepted commission work in high school. "I want my art to feel whimsical and lively. I love including houses in my work, and I have been really digging into themes of home and belonging," Smucker said. "I hope those themes come through and resonate with people." Smucker added that her favorite mediums are currently clay, watercolor and gouache. She plans to attend Messiah University after high school to major in studio art.

Every year, Red Raven Art Gallery exhibits the artwork of its scholarship recipients on the gallery's emerging artist wall. Magagna's work will be featured in July and Smucker's work will be featured in August. "It's important for young people to be creative and enjoy the process of making," said Lee Lovett, manager of Red Raven Art Gallery. "It's equally important to us to allow young people to realize that you can make a living off of art." For each student featured on the emerging artist wall, Red Raven waives the commission that it would normally deduct from art sales. "To say I'm excited is an understatement. I'm just so thankful to the gallery for this opportunity," Magagna said. Smucker added, "It feels amazing and so rewarding after all of the effort I have put in."

Red Raven Art Gallery created the emerging artist wall as part of its mission to encourage young artists in Lancaster County. In addition to the Red Raven Art Company and the Mitch Lyons Clay scholarships, the gallery partners with the C.X. Carlson Cultural Trust to offer the CX Carlson Scholarship, which was awarded to Aidan Krasnai from Manheim Township High School this year.

For more information, visit https://redravenartcompany.com.