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Art Academy of Cincinnati awards scholarships, including to five Northern Kentucky students


The Art Academy of Cincinnati announces two new transformational scholarships: the Carson E. Smith Scholarship and the William E. Villa Scholarship. Smith and Villa were both graduates of the Art Academy of Cincinnati and remembered the school in their end-of-life plans.

William E. Villa enrolled at the Art Academy in 1963 and studied drawing and painting, sculpture, visual techniques, graphic design, art history, and color theory. While a student, he worked as a photography lab technician. As a graduate, he began his career as a television news photographer for WKRC. He moved to San Francisco and worked in the production of secondary school educational films. He was a television production specialist for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and a recipient of a national HUD photography award.

Carson Smith graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1957 with a degree in Design and Portraiture. As an Art Academy student, Carson met William Henschel, an Art Academy instructor and Rookwood Pottery artist, who recognized Carson’s talent and helped him get a summer job at Rookwood Pottery that lasted for many years both before and after his service in World War II. He earned the Purple Heart for his service to his country during the Okinawa invasion.

Smith was known for his designs at Wadsworth Watch Case Company and Helena Rubenstein Cosmetics. It was not unusual to see celebrities and royalty using items he designed. His most notable design was the Cadillac emblem – a shield with traditional figures of heraldry. While the emblem has evolved over the years, his design is still the foundation of what Cadillac continues to use.

The Scholars Celebration recognizes significant scholarships and the students who receive them.

Art Academy 2017 Scholarship Recipients are

1. Andrea Bacca, Bristol,VA
2. Cody Bechtol, Cheviot, OH
3. Caroline Bell, Turpin Hills, OH
4. Bruce Bennett, St. Paul, MN
5. Kaitlin Burke, Hudson, OH
6. Lauren Castillo, Greensboro, NC
7. Mandy Clements, Greenville, NC
8. Madison DeAtley, Loveland, OH
9. Joseph DiMario, Cincinnati, OH
10. Taylor Dorrell, Westerville, OH
11. Claire Flath, West Chester, OH
12. DJ Gathers, Madisonville, OH
13. Zach Gibson, Covington, KY
14. Sydney Greene, Union, KY
15. November Hardy, Madisonville, OH
16. Sam Holloway, Carmel, IN
17. Jen Horsting, Loveland, OH
18. Abriljoanna (April) Huerta, Fairfield, OH
19. Aubre Lightner, Evanston, OH
20. Noel Maghathe, White Oak, OH
21. Nicole McClure, Tulia, TX
22. Hailee McElroy-Herin, Clifton, OH
23. Nikki Nesbit, Newport, KY
24. Jack Nichols, Madisonville, OH
25. Sabrina Pachla, Warren, MI
26. Cecilia Padilla, Fairfield, OH
27. Hannah Parker, West Price Hill, OH
28. Audrey Patterson, Mount Juliet, TN
29. Cody Perkins, Hebron, KY
30. John Platt, Walnut Hills, OH
31. Sydney Rains, Covington, KY
32. Tez Robertson, Over-the-Rhine, OH
33. Kane Sargent, Lucasville, OH
34. Carly Simendinger, Lebanon, OH
35. Vera Thornbury, Price Hill, OH
36. Tiffany Tran, Verona, WI
37. Savannah Vagedes, Ludlow, OH
38. Sophia Velasco, Fisher, IN
39. Julia Waldorf, Fairfield, OH
40. Taylor Wellman, Amanda, OH
41. Mal Wesley, Over-the-Rhine, OH
42. Harris Wheeler, Lexington, KY
43. Althea Wiggs, Lexington, KY
44. Lindsay Wiles, Blanchester, OH
45. Andre Wilson, Westwood, OH
46. Katelyn Wolary. Wilmington, OH


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