Published 7:38 pm Tuesday, May 20, 2025
By Jaine Treadwell
Two 2025 Charles Henderson High School students have received memorial art scholarships.
Dakota Masoner received the $1,000 Jean Lake Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Troy Arts Council.
Ashley Chen was awarded a $500 TroyFest Scholarship in memory of Charles Adams. Jean Lake was a widely known folk artist and Charles Adams was a pioneer in glass art. Both were from Pike County.
Masoner has drawings and paintings that are so realistic that they look like photographs. Then, she has very creative abstract pieces that express a variety of emotions, said Pam Smith retired CHHS art teacher.
Masoner demonstrates depth and diversity in her artwork. She likes to challenge herself to use different medias and find different ways to use them.
“Hopefully, my future beholds a career as a traditional or performance artist,” she said. “I want others to feel moved by my art. I will continue to strive to artistically challenge myself and create new art.”
Masoner plans to attend Troy University.,
Chen said she likes to incorporate her personality into her artwork.
“I like to add my own twist of humor to make the piece more lively,” Chen said. “Usually, in my own works, I make it funny…just a hint of how I feel.”
Chen’s favorite media is paint, and she likes to use realistic fine details. She plans to attend LBW to become an automotive mechanic and to use her artistic skills to help with the art of vehicles.”
Each art scholarship applicant had to turn in an Art Portfolio with 10 artworks of their choice. The factors considered in judging the portfolios were creative vision, technical aptitude, inventiveness, originality and creativity were crucial elements.
Karvarus Moore is the CHHS art teacher for both scholarship recipients.
