We are excited to share our third annual scholarship awards program in conjunction with the School of Visual Arts. This year we have chosen one grand prize winner and eleven runners up from submissions of original artwork incorporating a Broadway theme. These students will receive scholarships towards their education and the advancements of their careers. AKA takes a lot of pride in fostering up-and-coming artists.
Click to view the scholarship recipients’ artwork
Joseph Casanova
Joe attended Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), majoring in Illustration for his undergraduate degree. He is currently attending the Illustration as Visual Essay Graduate program at the School of Visual Arts. He enjoys the melding of realistically stylized illustration that utilizes the principles of graphic design as well as narrative storytelling.
For this piece, I wanted to emphasize the feeling of wonder and excitement someone may have right before a Broadway show.
Robin Mork
Robin is a Brooklyn-based illustrator who creates surreal literary images. She is now earning her MFA at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Her most recent work includes the interior illustrations for That’s When the Knives Come Down, (2014) published by Aforementioned Productions.
I wanted to give the often unsung broadway musicians their proper kudos.
Chioma Ebinama
Chioma received a BA in Sociology from Boston College in 2010. As a first generation Nigerian American, she takes inspiration from her dual identity; drawing from classic Western art, modern Japanese art and design, and her Igbo heritage. She is currently enrolled in the School of Visual Arts MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program.
With this image, I aimed to work within the tradition of theater inspiring art, while also showing the quieter, often unseen, side of Broadway.
Chris Bonnell
Chris is a Brooklyn-based writer and illustrator. He is currently studying Illustration at the School of Visual Arts.
Show Time: This piece captures the history of the theatre from Greek drama to the modern day.
Sarah Dvojack
Sarah was born in the wilds of the state of Washington, where she developed an unnatural obsession with very old things. These very old things have since wormed their way into her writing and illustration.
This is the rush. The lingering excitement as you leave the show with a thousand others who are equally enchanted.
Elaheh Taherian
Elaheh is an award-winning Iranian artist currently living and working in Brooklyn. She received a BFA degree from Shahed Art University and a MFA from Art University in Tehran, Iran. Elaheh is currently enrolled in the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program at the School of Visual Arts.
Broadway brings its audience smiles and leaves them in tears, as if they are living in this magical world for a while, without noticing that it’s a fictitious scene.
Amanda Moeckel
Amanda is an artist from Massachusetts. She enjoys illustrating metaphors and the invisible in children’s books, editorial and gallery work. Past clients include Gap Kids, Paul Stuart and Playboy.
This illustration came from an idea that wouldn’t leave my head once it entered: the thought of Broadway as a giant actress taking a bow amongst the Theater District skyline.
Tianhua Mao
Tianhua Mao is an illustrator from China, who is currently an MFA candidate at School of Visual Art. Her motto is "the more you can enjoy your life, the more tasty your art will be."
This could be a scene playing in Broadway Theaters, could be a sweet memory deep in our mind, or a wonderful dream we once had.
Liam O'Donnell
Recently transplanted from the west coast, Liam is a freelance illustrator currently attending the MFA Illustration as Visual Essay program at SVA. When he is not worrying about weathering his first east coast winter he spends his time drawing his fellow commuters on balmy subway platforms or tucked into his studio watering his colors to help his illustrations grow.
I have created a cast of characters waiting in line to audition—a chance to make a bid for the spotlight!
Jeffrey Lowry
Jeffrey graduated with honors with his B.F.A. from the University of Arizona and is currently working on his MFA in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts. His work was accepted into the American Illustration 32 Chosen Archive. He was also a semi-finalist for the prestigious 2013 Adobe Design Achievement Awards and recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Art Award.
On one-hand, I wanted this piece to show the incredible draw that Broadway has on its fans, and, on the other hand, show the creativity and imagination that draws people to come.
Steve Cup
Mr. Cup is an illustrator, printmaker, and occasional social commentator. He favors the tradition of woodcut printmaking and has explored a range of markets from portraiture, editorial illustration, and book covers. Along the way he has explored how combining digital technology can help expand on the possibilities of the medium.
A behind-the-scenes look at preparations for a wild finale.
Claire Merchlinsky
Claire is an illustrator from Atlanta, GA. She attended the Savannah College of Art and Design to earn a BFA in illustration. After graduation, she moved to New York to partake in the Illustration as Visual Essay graduate program at the School of Visual Arts.
To me, Broadway represents the magic of “showtime,” and how a group of talented individuals can work together to create one impressive performance.