Scholarships

Each year, the Olive Hyde Art Guild provides scholarships to students who are pursuing higher education in art.

2026 Scholarships

Congratulations to our 2026 winners!

At the Scholarship Reception on May 15, 2026, our seven scholarship finalists shared selections from their portfolios, giving attendees a chance to experience their work up close and connect with these emerging and talented young artists.

Artistic Merit ($250 art supplies gift certificate), High School: Catherine Chen from Mission San Jose High School. Catherine will be a Visual Art Major at UC Irvine in Fall.

Artistic Merit ($250 art supplies gift certificate), Ohlone College: Alka Sinha.

Artistic Excellence ($500 Scholarship funded by project Mini Art), High School: Emily Huang, Mission San Jose High School. Emily will attend USC in the fall, majoring in Interactive Media/Game Design.

Artistic Excellence ($500 Scholarship funded by project Mini Art), Ohlone College: Eunie Kim.

Jan Schafir Memorial Scholarship ($1000 Scholarship): Anna Vu, Moreau Catholic High School. Anna will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in the fall to study Architecture.

Outstanding Artistic Talent ($2000 Scholarship), High School: Hope Chon from Irvington High School, and additionally her Teacher Summer Jones who was the recipient for Irvington HS of the $500 award for their classroom art supplies. Hope also recently won the Fremont City Intergenerational Art Contest for her digital art. She is going to pursue a degree in Design from Carnegie Mellon University. Hope wrote about why art matters to her: “My art allows me to express emotions I can’t describe with words, translating into a visual language others can understand. Drawing turns my vulnerability and hurt into something beautiful others can relate to. Through these drawings I’ve learned so much about myself and sharing these conversations with others. I hope to continue creating works that will inspire others and make them feel seen.”

Outstanding Artistic Talent ($2000 Scholarship), Ohlone College: Neelu Bhandari. As Neelu said, “Art has always been my lifelong passion and most profound form of self expression. As a self-taught artist, I spent years exploring the vibrant world of acrylic and watercolors. Last fall, I decided to take the leap forward and formally pursue an Associate Art degree from Ohlone College.”

Photos: Scott Capen

2026 Jurors: Durba Sen and Lisa Stambaugh

Durba Sen is a contemporary abstract artist based in the Bay Area. Her paintings have been greatly influenced by the color and fragrance of spices, blooming flowers, the celebration of life in cultural festivals, art and architecture of a diverse country, India, where she was born. She also reflects the hospitality of the people she has met during her travels around the world. Her art is an abstraction of her journey, heritage and views in life.

Her paintings address social issues, women, life and nature, through abstract expressionism. Durba is a self-taught artist, painting in acrylics and oil, learning through visits to galleries, museums and workshops. Her work in solo and group shows have been displayed at art galleries including Olive Hyde, Fremont Art Association, Arc Gallery San Francisco, Rena Charles Gallery, 2358 Market Gallery, in libraries, coffee shops and alternative spaces throughout the U.S.

Durba has been teaching art from her studio for over ten years, and has juried various art competitions for kids in the Bay Area. She holds a Masters degree in English Literature from Calcutta University, India, and has attended various courses in web design from Cal State East Bay.

Lisa Stambaugh brings a unique blend of technical and creative experience, with a BS in Electrical Engineering, an MS in Computer Science, 20 years in high tech, and 25 years as a web designer—designing over 700 websites and writing a book on web design. Her artistic work focuses on fiber arts, including quilting and hyperbolic crochet, along with digital art. She has lived in Fremont for 46 years and is a long-time member of the Olive Hyde Art Guild.

Her work has been in multiple Olive Hyde exhibits, including Hidden Treasures, Local Talent, the annual Textile exhibit, and the OHAG Members Juried Show. She is also actively involved in local public art initiatives, including designing the layout for six boxART! utility box vinyl wraps, and creating the layout and leading the hands-on assembly of the recent city-wide Yarnbombing project as part of Fremont Creates.

---

The application period for 2026 scholarships is now closed.

Requirements for all applicants:

High school applicants must be a Fremont high school senior attending a public or private school and a Fremont resident.

Ohlone College applicants must be a Visual or New Art major.

Eligible majors for higher education may include:

Traditional Visual Arts includes: Drawing and Illustration, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking and Architecture.

New Media Arts includes: Animation, Photography, Film & Video, Design, Graphic Design, Installation Art, Web Design, User Interface/User Experience Design (UI/UX), Media/Interactive Media.

• Minmum GPA of 2.5 GPA.
• Pursuing traditional or contemporary visual arts at an accredited institution in fall 2026.
• Finalists will have to drop off display art on May 14, 2026 until awards reception.
• Attend awards reception on May 15, 2026 if selected as a finalist.

College and High School student compete separately for awards. Finalists have their work showcased at an in-person reception and awards presentation.

Complete application includes:

• Responses to scholarship questions.
• Portfolio of 4-6 artworks.
• Unofficial transcript stating GPA and completed courses.
• Written permission of parent/guardian if under 18 years old.

Scholarships are awarded as follows:

Ohlone College students and Fremont high school students will compete separately. Each group will receive the following:

• The first place winner receives $2000.
• The honorable mention winner receives a $250 gift certificate from Blick Art Supply.

One applicant will receive the $1000 Jan Schafir Memorial Award.

Two applicants will each receive $500, sponsored by the Project Mini Art program.

Award checks will be sent to the Financial Aid office of the school/college each recipient is attending and is not renewable.

Application Process

All applications are submitted online.

Disclaimer

• Proof of acceptance from school/college is required prior to awarding of scholarship.
• Olive Hyde Art Guild reserves the right to hold a public show of applicants’ work.
• Olive Hyde Art Guild reserves the right not to award a scholarship.