Thomas George Artist Fund Award Winner Announced

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — A recent graduate from The College of New Jersey has won the 2017 Thomas George Artist Fund Award, the Princeton Area Community Foundation announced on Thursday. Piper Torsilieri, 23, of Flemington, graduated in May. Graduating art majors from Mercer County colleges and universities are eligible to apply for the annual award of $5,000.

Thomas George (1918-2014) was an internationally recognized artist whose work is included in the permanent collections of major museums, universities, corporations and private collections around the world. As a young artist, he received financial support to study and practice his art. It was that good fortune that later led him to establish the Thomas George Fund at the Community Foundation.

“We’d like to congratulate Piper,” Princeton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Jeffrey M. Vega said. “Our mission is to advance the well-being of our communities forever, and the arts are an essential part of vibrant communities. The Thomas George Artist Fund Award is just one of the many ways we use philanthropy to help our communities thrive.”

“I was so excited to win the award,” said Torsilieri. “It’s such a relief to have some help when you graduate so you can focus on what you love. It was great – really great.”

The attached image of Piper Torsilieri was provided by the Princeton Area Community Foundation