Cultural Council rewards exceptional artists

Date: 1/6/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



AGAWAM A passion for the arts is seldom rewarded monetarily, with the exception of A-list movie stars or major recording artists. However, two Agawam High School students with an exceptional passion for creativity and total disregard for the phrase, "starving artist" have become the latest recipients of Agawam Cultural Council (ACC) grants.

Junior bassoon player Shannon Stephens and sophomore visual artist Jeen-Hye Kim were each awarded a $1,000 grant from the ACC for their dedication to their fields of interest. Stephens will be using the grant to help pay for her recent purchase of a new $7,000 bassoon and Kim will put the money toward financing a summer pre-college program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

ACC Chair Robert Kadis explained that the council awarded two grants this year instead of one because of it became impossible to choose between Stephens and Kim. "We were just so taken with [these] two applicants," he said.

Stephens told Reminder Publications she did not expect to be chosen as a grant recipient. "I was really honored that they chose me," she said.

Stephens explained that she took up the bassoon because she became bored with the clarinet and wanted to take up an unusual instrument. She added that she plans to pursue a college degree in music performance and education.

"I was totally impressed with the excellent recommendations from Shannon's band directors from fifth grade through high school," Shirley Kibbe, chair of the ACC Grant for the Arts Committee, said. "Upon meeting her, her enthusiasm for music was evident. Her goal to earn a double degree in music performance and music education also was a double plus showing she had high aspirations."

Kim explained that she has been drawing ever since she can remember and has continued the hobby out of pure enjoyment. Her craft evolved into painting and later digital painting and animation.

"Not only do her sketches and portraits appear quite professional, displaying an uncanny innate talent, but her long-term goal of a successful career in graphic arts [and] animation for the motion picture industry seems a certainty, as anyone who views her work would agree," Kibbe said.

He explained that he hopes the ACC's continued promotion and support for the arts will encourage young talent to pursue careers in their perspective mediums.