Gallery on High Scholarship Awarded

Owen J. Roberts senior Mary Reisenwitz got a helping hand Saturday afternoon.  The talented painter received the Greater Pottstown Foundation's art scholarship.  The four-year scholarship, worth $10,000, was open to seniors in the Pottstown, Pottsgrove and Owen J. Roberts school districts, as well as the Hill School. 

Applicants were required to submit an essay and works in three different media.  They must also plan to attend an art school or arts program at a traditional university.

The scholarship was awarded based on the essay and the artisan's work at the Greater Pottstown Foundation Senior High School Art Exhibit at the Gallery.

All of the applicants displayed work. Joining Reisenwitz on the wall were pieces by Aaron Tiller, Kevin Griffin, Morgan Dill, Ashlyn Neiffer and Nicki Moyer.

Among those in attendance were Cathy Paretti, the Gallery director, and Paul Prince, president of the Greater Pottstown Foundation.

Melissa Dietrich represented the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. A resident of East Coventry, Dietrich was excited to make acquaintances and support the community.

"We support business and communities in our entire region, from Princeton to Wilmington," said Dietrich. "We look to support the local community's relationship with business owners."

Following a brief reception, Prince presented the scholarship to Reisenwitz. 

Reisenwitz plans to use her scholarship to attend the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore.

"I'm planning to study painting and contemplating a fifth year master's in art education," she said.  "To win was awesome. It is a huge chunk of change and the school I am going to is not cheap."

So what does an aspiring artist do with such a generous sum?

"That will buy quite a lot of paint," she said and laughed.