Students from West Hartford’s Conard High School are the recipients of the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School ‘Artist of Promise’ scholarships, with the new partnership celebrating local high school talent with $25,000 scholarships for aspiring artists.

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In an inspiring celebration of emerging artistic talent, the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School has awarded six “Artist of Promise” scholarships, each valued at $25,000, to outstanding student artists from Conard High School.

This unprecedented initiative creates a new bridge between secondary and higher education in the arts, affirming the University’s commitment to recognizing and supporting local creativity.

The scholarship recipients were selected during a recent visit to the Conard High School Art Show by Roxy Ryan, admissions representative for the Hartford Art School. Deeply impressed by the exceptional quality and originality of the student work, Ryan announced the scholarships on the spot, marking a historic first for both institutions.

“Hartford Art School and the Conard High School art department have a longstanding collaborative relationship that has continued to grow in recent years,” Ryan said. “Through this collaboration we have been able to consistently support the importance of the visual arts and how it impacts our lives as well as supporting students interested in pursuing the arts on a personal level or for their future careers. This partnership is rooted in community, with our institutions sharing the same hometown, and sharing many community members including outstanding teachers like Ms. Jessica Fallis who is a Hartford Art School alumnus. These shared connections help foster a safe and supportive space for the visual art community in West Hartford to thrive. Hartford Art School is deeply appreciative of our partnership with Conard High School and how it contributes to our individual communities, and our wider creative community as a whole. We look forward to any and all future opportunities to collaborate.”

The 2025 Artist of Promise Scholarship recipients are:

• Quinlynn Brooks
• Linnea Tucker
• Eleanor Heydt
• Isabella Tamborello-Noble
• Leah Devor
• Alexxya Johns

Each student is eligible to receive the $25,000 scholarship upon enrollment at the University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School, a nationally recognized institution known for its rigorous studio programs and strong professional preparation.

 Conard is home to two exemplary art educators, Jessica Fallis and Sarah Regan. They plan the annual art show and brainstormed about student recognition and adjudication of the artwork.This unique scholarship opportunity for students was made possible through the efforts of Fallis, who initiated the connection with the university and helped coordinate Ryan’s visit.

Fallis shared that the scholarships “open pathways that students haven’t considered and makes the possibility to pursue art more of a reality ( for students).”

Regan added that the scholarships are, “potentially life changing for students to not only have the opportunity to attend art school but shows the validity of the Arts as a career after high school.”

About the Artist of Promise Scholarship

The Artist of Promise Scholarship at the Hartford Art School is designed to recognize outstanding artistic potential and foster the development of future creative leaders. It is awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate excellence, originality, and dedication in the Visual Arts.

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