Roger Yost Launches Scholarship Program

May 22, 2008 - Reed Opera House Owner Roger Yost, who in the last year has created one of Oregon’s largest art galleries at his Alessandro’s Ristorante, has launched an art scholarship program for Salem high school students.

The first scholarship was awarded on May 22 to Andrea Barrios at McKay High School’s eighth annual Student Spring Art Show, where more than 1000 drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, photographs and other art forms were exhibited and judged. 

In addition to the $500 Reed Opera House scholarship to McKay’s “Artist of the Year,” $125 cash prizes donated by Alessandro’s were presented to “Best-in-Show” artists  Desiree Obadencio for originality and Tasha Shippey for craftsmanship.

“It is our intent to make this an annual scholarship at McKay, and expand this ‘Art Scholars’ program to at least one additional high school each year until all area schools are represented,” said Rebecca Maitland, director of marketing for Reed, Alessandro’s and other Yost properties.

Lisa Leirmo, who teaches print-making, mixed media and art history, formulated the first McKay Spring Art Show in 2001.  She has since been joined by Autumn Breitwieser, who teaches pottery making and sculpture; John Haus, drawing and painting; and Thomas Douglas, photography. 

They selected Ms. Barrios for the scholarship because “she has been involved in all of our art classes from one year to the next, and is someone who cares deeply about all people of the world, and shows that compassion in her art,” according to Ms. Leirmo.

In presenting the scholarship, Ms. Maitland told an audience of 500 in the McKay Commons that “Andrea uses her creative spark as her voice, helping us learn through her various forms of self-expression.”

Ms. Barrios not only had several paintings and mixed media work in the Spring Show, she created an interactive installation that focused on diversity and intolerance.

Judges for the May 22 show and reception were Peter Stone and Dr. Dan Canon, retired professors from Western Oregon University’s art studies programs.

More information: Rebecca Maitland (503) 269-5568 or Roger Yost (503) 884-7333.

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