FAVE receives award from WA
Local arts scholarship program endowed
Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:12 AM PDT
VALE — In the past three years, The Foundation for the Arts in Vale (FAVE) has given out more than 100 scholarships to youth for private arts lessons. Now, these efforts are getting noticed by donors outside the Treasure Valley.
The Edwards Brown Arts Scholarship Fund, Yelm, Wash., just awarded $1,000 to the organization. President April Johnson said it couldn’t have come at a better time.
“We were only able to give scholarships to half of the kids that applied this fall, so we are thankful to have a little bit more to use for spring scholarships,” she said in a press release.
FAVE awards scholarships for dance, music and visual arts lessons because it believes strongly in the power of the arts to enrich and lift.
“If you’re struggling to keep food on the table or a roof over your head, then singing is probably the last thing on your mind,” Johnson said. “But singing is a skill for life and can get you through some tough times. It can inspire you to keep going and give your children hope for the future.”
Hope is something the Edwards Brown Fund also believes in. Even though the money comes from funds based in Yelm, the organization’s connection to Vale is personal. The fund is named after Ruby Edwards and her daughter Neo Brown who were killed in a car accident. Both were artists and great supporters of youth in all facets of the arts. Their family knew they would be pleased to have that support continue through the creation of an arts scholarship fund in their name.
Local resident Ruth Boyle, Edwards’ daughter, said, “It is comforting to know that some joy has come from the tragedy that took my mom and sister.”
Family events brought Boyle’s mother and sister to Vale many times, but one that stays fresh in her memory is when they came here, along with their artistic friend Carol Hayes, to help paint the Hot Springs Mural in 1995.
“I often think of them when I drive by that painting,” Boyle said. “We had such great times working together. Now, their legacy continues to inspire young Vale artists through their scholarship.”
Boyle is on the Board of Directors for FAVE and was happy to hear of the Edwards Brown award.
“I told my family about our mission, but they have their own board of directors that ultimately decides where the money goes,” Boyle said. “This shows that FAVE is an organization that is making a difference.”
FAVE will award another round of scholarships for spring 2010. Applications will be in Vale school front offices in December and on the Web site, www.valearts.org.
