Five BCPS Art Teachers Selected for Scholarship

Five Brevard Public School Art Educators
Selected for 2018 Nancy Baur Dillen Art Teacher Scholarships

MELBOURNE, Fla., (March 27, 2018) – Five Brevard Public School art teachers were selected as recipients of the Nancy Baur Dillen Art Teacher Scholarship through the Community Foundation for Brevard. The five individuals are:

• David Blucker – Atlantis Elementary, Cocoa
• Deborah Johnston – Heritage High School, Palm Bay
• Pamela King – Roy Allen Elementary, Melbourne
• Melanie Weilmuenster – Freedom 7 Elementary, Cocoa Beach
• Annamarie Zink – Eau Gallie High School, Melbourne

The scholarship provides funding to cover tuition, related fees, and room and board for one-week workshops of each teacher’s choice at the renowned Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee during the summer of 2018.

In 2015, artist and retired Eastern Florida State College professor of art, Nancy Baur Dillen and her husband Rick created the scholarship program with the Community Foundation for Brevard so that art teachers would have an opportunity to share, develop and grow as artists and as educators. A committee made up of artists, educators and community members review the applications and make recommendations of the finalists to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

2018 awardees were announced and recognized during a reception on March 21 at the Renee Foosaner Education Center. During the event, 2017 recipients shared their experiences and artwork from their time at Arrowmont.

 “The summers I spent at Arrowmont had a huge influence on my development as an artist and teacher. To hear the stories and see first-hand the impact it is making on those who have been awarded the scholarship is a dream come true,” said Nancy Baur Dillen. “Rick and I feel fortunate to have the ability to support and inspire art educators, and through them, their students – they are our future.”

Additionally, Nancy has been invited to teach a drawing class August 12-18 at Arrowmont available for all levels. This will be her 12th year teaching in their summer program while also taking art classes there for over 25 years.

“The ripple effects stretch well beyond the 15 local art teachers who have attended Arrowmont since the first award in 2016,” shared Theresa Grimison, president/CEO, Community Foundation for Brevard. “These teachers touch thousands of students’ lives and provide them with an outlet for their artistic creativity and enthusiasm; they inspire them in so many ways. We are so grateful for Nancy and Rick and their philanthropic vision and commitment to art and education, in the classroom and beyond.”

About Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts is a national art education center. The school offers weekend, one- and two-week workshops for the beginner to advanced artists taught by national and international practicing studio artists and university faculty. Students work and learn in professionally equipped studios on a 14-acre residential campus in Gatlinburg, TN.

About Community Foundation for Brevard

The Community Foundation for Brevard serves as a trusted resource and leader for philanthropic individuals and organizations to enhance and sustain Brevard County’s quality of life. An independent, 501(c)(3) organization, the foundation manages family foundations and funds for the philanthropic community with the goal of providing a perpetual source of income for charitable causes while protecting the investment. For more information about the Community Foundation, visit cfbrevard.org.

###