The Atelier—and its amazing emerging artists—is back! Last year, we launched our first artists-in-residency program for Scholastic Award winners who had recently graduated from college, and it was a great success (check out a recap of it here). We are excited to be able to bring this program back with more talented alumni this fall!
The 2012 Atelier program, which runs from October 8 through December 28, will include for each participating artist: a monthly stipend, exhibition opportunities, career development workshops and an open workspace provided by Arts Brookfield at One New York Plaza, where passers-by can witness the artists creating new work.
Be sure to stop by to see these artists at work on our open studio dates: November 7 and December 5 from 12:30pm – 5:30pm. Not in New York City? No problem! We’ll keep you updated with pictures, videos, and blog posts from the artists themselves. So, stay tuned!
Three of Hannah Jones’ books, which she co-wrote with Danielle Bennett
Hannah Jones (aka Jaida Jones) earned a Scholastic Portfolio Gold Award in 2004. She has published four fantasy books, Havemercy, Shadow Magic, Dragon Soul,and Steelhands, as well as a collection of her poetry entitled Cinquefoil—all garnering critical acclaim. And she’s done all this by the age of 26!
We recently had a chance to chat with Hannah to learn more about her love for reading and writing fantasy. She also provided us with some great advice for all the young fantasy writers out there. Check it out!
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
The first time I read a good book and it ended. I don’t cope well with separation.
What do you like about the fantasy genre? What opportunities does it afford you as a writer that you don’t have when writing “realistic” fiction?
One of the assignments I remember vividly from a college writing workshop was as follows: all the assembled students were given a first line to write a short in-class piece of fiction over the course of fifteen minutes. The first line was ‘She looked at the dinosaur in the room.’ After fifteen minutes, we went around the room reading our pieces out loud. All the dinosaurs in the room had been metaphors–for old men, for difficult situations, for people they no longer wanted to be with, obsolete lovers and childhood friends. My dinosaur was a dinosaur. It spoke. Read More
A scene from Beasts of the Southern Wild. Photo Credit: Cinereach
When Michael Raisler put together his Gold Medal-winning Art Portfolio for the 2003 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, he wanted to share his belief in mankind’s ability to change the world for the better and also his fear of losing that belief. He wrote, “I am trying desperately to believe that communication still exists, that people’s minds can be changed, and that hate can be conquered.” Over time many adults give up on trying to change the world…that is partly what Rings I Can’t Reach represents for me, this idealism that is always present in my life, but seems to be gradually slipping away.” Read More
“I’ve experienced very few moments in my life that have brought me to hand-over-mouth, throat-gone-dry silence. One occurred on a weekday evening after babysitting, when I learned that I’d won the novel division of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards,” says Anna Waggener in an interview with Scholastic recently. The Novel Writing category judges of the 2008 Scholastic Awards spotted budding talent in Anna, and her Award-winning work went on to become her first novel, Grim, published by Scholastic Press and currently on the shelves of bookstores everywhere! Anna credits the Awards for “making it all possible”, and says that “the amazing thing about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is that they inspire teens to master form and technique and then push things farther.”
Jeremy Madl designs art toys that are coveted by collectors around the world. (Image courtesy of Jeremy Madl and Mad Toy Design)
Interested in a career as a toy designer? 1996 Scholastic Awardswinner Jeremy Madl recently talked toScholasticArt Magazineabout his work as a toy designer and running his own company. Check out the interview below!
SCHOLASTIC ART: What is your job? Jeremy Madl: I design collectible toys— or art toys. I have my own company, Mad Toy Design. I’m a one-stop shop from concept to delivery of the final product.
SA: How do you design a toy? JM: First, I sketch out my idea on paper. I do all the different views—front, back, side, top, and bottom. I might make 100 sketches. Then I enter my sketches into my computer and create the control drawings to send to the manufacturer. I work with the manufacturer to get every aspect of the toy right, including the size, color, and even the cost. The process can take six months to a year and a half. Read More
Hiokit lao. Camera Cloud. Age 17, Grade 12. 2012 Gold Medal, Digital Art.
The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers is hiring alumni photographers to document our National Celebration on Saturday, June 2 from 9am – 5pm in New York City! Recent winners will be considered. Please submit your resume, a link to your online portfolio, and an estimated price for one day’s work to ctan@artandwriting.org no later than 12noon on Friday, May 25. We look forward to seeing your work!
Hannah Jones (aka 
