The creativity of two Springdale students has earned them $18,000 in scholarships through the
2024-2025 Thea Foundation scholarship competition.
Dennis Figueroa of Don Tyson School of Innovation and Aly Hubbard of Har-Ber High School each received a $9,000 scholarship for works inspired by the theme “Fluidity.”
Three hundred students from throughout Arkansas had an opportunity to earn part of $219,000 in scholarships through the competition, according to a Thea Foundation press release.
"It was a pleasure to witness the wide-ranging talent of the many young artists who entered the Thea scholarship competition this year,” said judge Tye Love, the Oklahoma City University assistant artistic director. “The arts are alive and well in Arkansas! I am excited to see what the future holds for this exceptional group of talented students.”
The Springdale students were two of 36 Arkansas students to earn Thea scholarships in the performing arts, visual arts, creative writing, film and fashion.
Hubbard received her scholarship for a colorful visual art piece featuring a young woman discovering two pink rabbits in a container of macaroni and cheese she created, while Figueroa received a scholarship for a film titled “The Timeless Canvas: A Century of Mary Talbert.”
The Thea Foundation’s mission is to advocate the importance of the arts in the development of youth, according to the release. The foundation has awarded more than $3.3 million in scholarships to Arkansas students and provided more than $2.3 million in art supplies and creative materials to underfunded schools since 2002.
The 2025-2026 scholarship competition will have an exciting shift, as the foundation won’t limit applicants to a specific theme, according to the release. Instead, students are encouraged to submit work that best reflects their unique talents and creativity.
Rising seniors interested in applying for the 2025-2026 scholarship competition must submit their applications and artwork by Jan. 11, 2026. For detailed guidelines and additional information, please visit theafoundation.org/scholarships.
Watch “The Timeless Canvas: A Century of Mary Talbert” HERE.