Scholarship Winners 2022
Since 1991, the Art League of Ocean City has provided scholarships each year to high school seniors wishing to pursue a higher education degree or career in the visual or performing arts. The scholarships are available to Worcester County residents attending any public or private high school as well as home school students.
The Art League will consider applicants for the Sidney M. Beckstead $5,000 scholarship; the multiple Katherine Ellen Brown $1,000 scholarships; the Eva Fox $1,000 scholarship; the Inga Tuvesson $1,000 scholarship. The Art League is also offering a new $1,000 scholarship in memory of Macon Katherine Chandler. Scholarship winners will receive a one-year membership to the Art League.
The Sidney M. Beckstead Scholarship for the Arts
In 2021, Sherrie Beckstead, widow of the entrepreneur and artist Sidney Beckstead, began the Sidney M. Beckstead Scholarship for the Arts that is awarded annually to a local art student.
Sidney & Sherrie Beckstead
Sidney Merrill Beckstead passed away on Dec. 26, 2020, and enjoyed painting in watercolors and oils and sketching in pen and ink. He conceptualized jewelry designs for his clients at Liljenquist & Beckstead Jewelers and Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers, designing engagement rings, sketching a keepsake of a friend’s dog, or recreating a basket of zinnias that marked a special holiday.
“Not only did he paint a beautiful life full of love, laughter, compassion, and giving, he created exquisite artworks inspired by the simple wonders he saw around him,” Sherrie Beckstead, Sid’s wife of 35 years, said. “Through his art, Sid captured the ordinary and important moments of life, so people could continue to find joy in those memories.”
“It is with great humility and honor that we want to celebrate Sid’s creative gifts by creating a scholarship in his name. We are honored to have the scholarship offered through The Art League of Ocean City. Sid began his career in the jewelry industry in Ocean City, Md. We are grateful that the scholarship fund is held at Taylor Bank, one of the first banks to support Sid’s jewelry venture in Ocean City. We know that Sid would have loved to give back to the community that nurtured him. Thank you for allowing us to honor our dear Sid through this art scholarship. To know that more beauty will be created, more special moments captured through art, brings us immense joy and solace.”
Beckstead Award 2022 winner Mackenzie Williams (right) with Rina Thaler (left) and Sherrie Beckstead (center).
To be eligible for the Beckstead scholarship, students must be graduating high school seniors who are residents of Worcester County, Md., including public and private school students and homeschoolers. The scholarship recipient must be pursuing a higher education degree or career in the visual or performing arts.
Donations to the Scholarship for the Arts fund can be made by mailing a check to the Art League at PO Box 3503, Ocean City, MD 21043, by calling 410-524-9433, or in person at the Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St., Ocean City, or Click Here to make a donation online.
Applications are available online, at the Arts Center, or through the high school guidance offices. The OC Center for the Arts is open daily: Monday through Friday 9 am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm.
Deadline: April 8th, 2024
Please click here for the Art League of Ocean City Scholarship Application
Return completed application by mail to:
Art League of Ocean City
P O Box 3503
Ocean City, MD 21843
Or email to gallery director Katie Joyce at katie@artleagueofoceancity.org