(PHOENIX, Ariz., Feb. 15, 2005) - Internationally known artist, Eric Fischl has graciously sponsored the $2,500 Eric Fischl Award of Merit Scholarship which will be awarded to a Phoenix College student majoring in Art. Art students are encouraged to apply by the March 1 deadline.

To apply for the scholarship, students must complete the application packet and provide a copy of their transcript. In addition, all applicants must submit two letters of recommendation (one that is academic or employment related and another one from an individual of their choice). At last, applicants must provide a personal letter which describes their financial need, academic and career goals and why they should be selected to receive the Eric Fischl Award.

The Eric Fischl Award of Merit Scholarship will be given based on the following selection criteria:

--Art major - The medium must be defined as fine art and may include painting, sculpture, drawing and/or photography (including digital for fine art purposes);
--Applicant must be enrolled full-time at Phoenix College (12 hours or more) at the time the application is submitted;
--Applicant must plan to attend PC full-time for Fall 2005 and Spring 2006;
--Must demonstrate financial need (provide evidence of financial need by addressing it in the personal letter); and,
--Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Fischl attended Phoenix College from 1968-69 and took classes ranging from life drawing to beginning sculpture. After Phoenix College, Fischl spent a year at Arizona State University and then received his BFA in 1972 from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, California. Before becoming an internationally-known artist, he worked as a guard at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and taught painting at the esteemed Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. For more information, visit his web site at www.ericfischl.com.

The scholarship will be applied to tuition, books, supplies, and fees (including lab fees).

For more information, please contact the Office of Alumni & Development/Scholarship Relations Office at (602) 285-7666.

Coming Soon: Eric Fischl will return to the Phoenix College campus to present the Eric Fischl Vanguard Award on April 8.

"Best Western," oil on canvas, 1983.

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