Press Release

Establishment of The Grace Leech Family Scholarship © 2011

Albany, TX - The Old Jail Art Center is pleased to announce the establishment of The Grace Leech Family Art Scholarship for graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college to pursue studies in art or art history. The scholarship was established by educator and philanthropic leader Valleau Wilkie, Jr. in honor of Grace Leech and her family. Wilkie, who holds degrees from Yale and Harvard, has committed his life to raising the level of public education. He will retire in June after serving 37 years as Executive Vice President of the Sid W. Richardson Foundation in Fort Worth.

 

Grace Leech, long time resident of Albany, has been an avid supporter of The Old Jail Art Center since its inception, serving as a docent for many years. Grace grew up loving art. Her grandmother, Annie Laura Gillean, was an accomplished artist in Dallas and was featured in a 1940 addition of the Dallas Morning News. Grace studied with her grandmother as a child and never lost her passion for painting. Additionally, she was one of the founding members of the Albany Art Club.

The scholarship will be available to graduating high school seniors attending rural schools served by the Region 14 Educational Service Center with graduating classes of 150 students or less. Eligibility considerations will include academic achievement, field of study, and need. The two-year scholarship will be awarded to one (1) recipient each year for a total of $4,000. The award will be split equally between the first and second academic years ($2,000 each year). The annual distribution will be divided into two parts: the first $1,500 for tuition will be paid directly to the institution, and the remaining $500 paid to the recipient who will consult with the committee about its use for books, supplies, transportation or tuition. The committee will be responsible for approving a second year of funding depending on satisfactory performance. Failure to meet the minimum academic standard (2.5 GPA) in the first year places the second year of the scholarship in jeopardy.

Grant applications should be postmarked no later than May 15 or earlier and mailed to the address listed below. Recipients will be notified by letter of the award by June 30. The scholarship application is available for download from The Old Jail Art Center’s website: http://www.theoldjailartcenter.org/education/the-grace-leech-family-art-scholarship

Please consider contributing to the Scholarship Fund. College costs are rising and out of reach for many Texas students particularly from rural communities. The scholarship is being established as a permanent endowment, which earns interest annually based on market rates. The Old Jail Art Center is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

To contribute: Please make checks payable to The Old Jail Art Center, noting Scholarship Fund on the memo line, and mail to the address below.

The Grace Leech Family Art Scholarship Committee

C/O The Old Jail Art Center
201 South Second Street
Albany, Texas 76430