BYU-Idaho art students accepted into national scholarship competition 

Three Brigham Young University-Idaho art students have been accepted into the Society of Illustrators annual Student Scholarship Competition. These students have been judged to be in the top 3 percent of the 4,500 entries from over 60 schools that were submitted.

Jessie Cluff, Joshua Stewart, and Brittany Whited will have their award-winning pieces displayed in an exhibition in the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators from May 2-18 in New York City. Both Stewart and Whited were among only 23 students who received scholarships.

"These students were among a small handful that were selected nationwide, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work," said Wade Huntsman, an instructor in the BYU-Idaho Department of Art. "It is remarkable to see such dedicated students represent this university nationally with immense talent and class."

Each student submitted several illustrations they completed during 2006 at BYU-Idaho. Along with having their pieces in an exhibition and receiving scholarship money, all three students' winning illustrations will be published in the Society of Illustrator's catalog.

"Jessie, Joshua, and Brittany have set a great example for what students can accomplish at this university," said Huntsman. "They have worked extremely hard to be where they are today."

Since its inception in 1981, the Society of Illustrators has awarded more than $1.5 million to deserving students and their schools in this competition. Founded in 1901, the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to "the promotion of the art of illustration- past, present and future." It has over 1,000 members worldwide and is headquartered in an 1875 vintage carriage house in New York's Upper East Side.