Article summary | KOAA News5 Colorado

The Palmer Lake Art Group (PLAG) hosted a silent auction in Monument to raise funds for its long-running scholarship program, which helps graduating District 38 high school seniors who intend to continue studying art.

A longstanding commitment to art education

Since the 1970s, PLAG has awarded more than $90,000 in scholarships. The program typically provides two or three scholarships each year to students who have demonstrated a commitment to the visual arts in their future careers. The article notes that recent recipients attended Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School.

Growing the scholarship fund

For this fundraiser, PLAG members donated artwork and art supplies for a silent auction. The group hopes to expand the auction in future years and eventually open it to the public. The initiative is intended to help PLAG increase the annual amount available for its scholarship efforts beyond its usual fundraising level.

The lasting impact of a scholarship

The article features former scholarship recipient Micaela Cimino, who used the award to attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. More than two decades later, she owns a gallery and frame shop in Monument. She describes the scholarship as an important early step in her career and recalls that having her work shown publicly gave her confidence as an artist. She now supports the program that helped her get started.

Why the program matters

The fundraiser reflects PLAG’s investment in the next generation of artists—not only through financial assistance, but also by encouraging young artists to share their work and pursue creative careers.

Jon McMichael, KOAA News5 Colorado.