w.C. Bennett Memorial arts scholarship
W.C. (Bill) Bennett was an artist based in Gunnison, Colorado, who sought inspiration from both the human-made and natural world, fitting the pieces together and striving to make works of
lasting import and beauty.
APPLICATIONS OPEN JANUARY 4th, 2027
Who was W.C. Bennett?
W.C. Bennett Jr. was born in St. Louis on July 14, 1944 to William Clark Bennett Sr. and Betty Fulton Huey Bennett. He passed away in Gunnison, Colorado on October 10, 2025. Bill spent his youth with his parents, brother David, sister Karen, and beloved black lab, Patsy, canvasing the hills around Evergreen, Colorado, camping, hiking, skiing, and enjoying nature. Summers he spent on Lake Erie or in Florida with his grandparents.
Later, Bill attended Western State College (now Western Colorado University) where he studied English, Philosophy, and Art.
While a student, Bill met Carol Jones, a California girl who was visiting her parents in the valley while on hiatus from teaching overseas, who would later become his wife of 54 years.
All his life he loved art—making art, painting, taking photographs, writing poetry, and taking road trips with his family across the country. Bill participated in many group and solo art exhibitions in Gunnison and across the Western Slope of Colorado, and he welcomed artists to his Lost Canyon studio. His belief in and support for artists, including his daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and friends, was enduring and uplifting.
Applications open January 4th
One $1,000 or two $500 scholarships awarded yearly
Open to Gunnison High School seniors
Must pursue a Western Colorado University degree in the fine arts
important dates
Applications open the first Monday in January 2027 and close the last Monday of March. Award notifications will be made in April. The decision of the Gunnison Arts Center Scholarship Committee shall be final.
What you need to apply
Eligibility:
any Gunnison High School (GHS) senior pursuing a Western Colorado University
degree in the fine arts, including art, instrumental music, vocal music, theatre, film, or
other fine arts, may apply for this scholarship.
Original Work by W.C. Bennett
1.
Provide two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from a teacher in the arts.
2.
Write a letter to the GAC Scholarship Committee (max. one page, double spaced) describing
what specific event(s) or people influenced you to choose your major within the arts.
3.
Upload your creative portfolio. If it is visual art, submit two or three pieces of your work. If it is music, submit a video recording of a piece (5 minutes max). If theatre or film, a short monologue or scene (5 minutes max), or a screen play or play excerpt (5 pages, double spaced max.). Live performances are possible as well by arrangement with the scholarship committee.
4.
Submit an artist statement (2 pages, double spaced max) including elements as fitting, such as key ideas, issues, struggles, goals within your work; content of work (themes, ideas, subject matter); influences (cultural, historical, theoretical, personal, biographical).
Email questions to the scholarship committee
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