In celebration of its 20th anniversary, The Woodlands Arts Council (TWAC) awarded a one-time commemorative $20,000 scholarship to an exceptional student –Matthew Yu, a Senior at College Park High School– to support his pursuit of higher education. This special award supports TWAC’s mission to provide regional cultural and educational enrichment opportunities that encourage, support, and promote the performing and visual arts.

TWAC’s Board Members voted unanimously to mark this milestone with a significant investment in the next generation of artists. “Investing in our students keeps the arts council true to its mission,” emphasized Jenny Carattini-Wright, TWAC’s Executive Director & CEO. “Presenting this one-time award in honor of the 20th anniversary felt like a natural way to celebrate our commitment to the arts and education.”

Matthew’s portfolio, which earned him this award, included three pieces: The Fruit Sellers, Breakfast at Fu Hang, and Rainy Reflections Outside Grandma’s. He described his 2D mixed media work as heavily influenced by urban sketching–a practice in which artists rapidly sketch scenes of everyday life in outdoor settings on locations. These pieces were created in the summer of 2023 during one of his visits to his parents’ hometown in Taiwan.

“Identity is central to my art,” explained Matthew when describing the journey of his creations. “My linework is a blend of Asian and Western artistic elements, reflecting my life between the East (Taiwan), where my extended family resides, and the West (America), where I was born and raised. Ultimately, my creative practice is about leaving behind artifacts of my existence—evidence of the life I’ve lived, the stories I’ve encountered, and the emotions I’ve felt”.

The Student Art Scholarship Program has been foundational to TWAC’s mission, fostering artistic talent and supporting students pursuing higher education. With the Because Arts Matter committee’s guidance, the program has evolved while staying true to its purpose. Over the past 20 years, TWAC has awarded scholarships to 282 students. This year, 14 graduating seniors from Montgomery County received $60,000 in Student Art Scholarships to help them take the next step in their academic and artistic journeys.

Matthew’s artwork will be displayed at The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival on April 11, 12 & 13, 2025. Additionally, the Student Art Scholarship Program Volume III, featuring the work of this year’s Student Art Scholarship Program awardees, will be available for purchase at the festival. To purchase tickets and learn more about The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival visit: https://www.thewoodlandsartscouncil.org/p/buytickets