Smyrna woman’s memory lives through children’s art scholarships

Even though she’s passed away, painter Janet Conner lives on in the work of children who benefit from a scholarship established in her memory.

Janet Conner’s husband Jack Conner is currently offering two scholarships to the Vinings School of Art for children aged 8 through 12. The scholarship covers spring tuition for weekly classes at the and is valued at $250.

When his wife passed away in October 2010, Conner donated her art supplies, including a kiln and a collection of art books, to the Vinings School of Art. However, he felt he needed to do more to honor his wife’s memory.

“In talking to (Vinings School of Art) I was really impressed with what they were doing,” Conner said. “It occurred to me that that’s what she would have wanted. She loved children and was a wonderful philanthropist.”

So in the summer of 2011 he established the Janet Conner Scholarship. The winner was awarded summer tuition for weekly classes.

The summer scholarship program was so successful that now Conner wants to expand it. This term, scholarships will be awarded to two recipients. Interested applicants must write a one-page essay explaining why they deserve the scholarship. Essays can be dropped off at the Vinings School of Art and a winner will be chosen soon.