Augusta Art Students Win $17K in Scholarships

Students at Augusta University's Department of Art & Design walked away with $17,000 in scholarships during their 2026 Juried Student Art Exhibition, proving that investing in creativity pays off. The Feb. 12 ceremony at the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art celebrated not just artistic talent, but the community that makes such recognition possible.

Curator Madeline Beck from the Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art judged this year's show, selecting works that demonstrated strong concepts, technical skill, and diverse creative approaches. But Gallery Director Raoul Pacheco emphasized something bigger than technique alone.

"Art is the gathering. It lives in the eyes of people," Pacheco said. "We don't get through this together without each other."

The evening brought a special surprise when Mary S. Byrd herself, the woman for whom the gallery is named, made an unexpected appearance. Her presence reminded everyone that today's scholarship winners stand on the shoulders of generous supporters who believed in the power of art education.

Several students earned major awards. Kat DeBoard received the Eugenia Comer Scholarship, while Seth Prior earned the Samuel & Sarah Singal Scholarship. Avery Watson took home both the Nate Bindler Scholarship and first place in the Greater Augusta Arts Council Student Artist Awards.

The Ripple Effect

These scholarships do more than recognize past achievements. They fuel future creativity by removing financial barriers that might otherwise force talented students to choose between their passion and their practicality.

The variety of awards, from the Georgia Rehabilitation Institute Courage and Creativity Award to the Clay Artists of the Southeast Award, shows how many different paths artistic talent can take. Each scholarship represents someone who believed that supporting young artists strengthens entire communities.

Associate Dean Dustin Avent-Holt saw the exhibition as proof of something powerful happening at Augusta University. "The students' creative work on display at the exhibit is a reflection of the talents of our students and the dedicated mentoring of faculty in the Department of Art & Design," he said.

The exhibition remains on display through March 4, giving the community more time to see what $17,000 worth of emerging talent looks like.