Recently, the Copley Society of art joined forces with another Boston-area non-profit organization, "Urban Improv", to reach out to elementary and middle school children from urban public schools and introduce them to the wonders of the visual arts.
Urban Improv matches young students with committed adult mentors in an effort to prevent violence and to encourage positive choices and decision making in Boston youth. The Copley Society offers its gallery and skilled artist instructors for 'Watercolor Lessons' - afternoons filled with fun, laughter, and artistic ingenuity. In these workshops, the children have the opportunity to experiment with color and composition, expressing themselves in their own unique fashions while interacting with their mentors and fellow students.
The Copley Society is proud to be an active part of Urban Improv's annual event calendar.
Fine Arts Work Center Residency
Each year, the Copley Society of art offers an Artist-in-Residence fellowship to one worthy artist member who has not only shown extreme determination in the pursuit of his or her artistic vision, but who has also embarked upon a new series or direction in his or her body of work.
This grant, comprising a month of paid accommodation and studio space on picturesque Cape Cod as well as a small stipend, offers the artist a unique opportunity to focus on his or her art in the company of fellow artists and colleagues at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. F.A.W.C. is a hub of artistic activity in an already lively, well-known arts community. Seminars, courses, demonstrations, and lectures take place at the Center daily, and residents may take full advantage of these or opt to spend uninterrupted hours painting on isolated dunes by the sea.
In June of 2007, four past recipients of the fellowship mounted a beautiful exhibition of their work in the Upper Gallery of Co|So, showcasing their talent and the fruits of their labor during their time in Provincetown. All proceeds from the exhibition were allocated towards the expansion of this essential artist enrichment program.
Artist Awards - John Singleton Copley Award
In addition to prizes granted during our semi-annual members' juried exhibitions, including best-in-show and director's choice awards, the Copley Society also grants a particularly special honor to one artist member each year. The John Singleton Copley Award not only recognizes an artist's supreme skill in his or her medium, but also a dedication to the Society itself, through service and committment over several years. This prize is valued above all others in the organization. The 2007 recipient was Copley Master N. Samuel Vokey.
Artist Awards - Co|So Circle Award
Due to the great success of the new young collectors group, the Co|So Circle, the Circle board has decided to offer an annual award to a deserving emerging artist. This award is meant as strong encouragement for a younger artist to continue dedicating him- or herself to their craft. The 2007 recipient was Copley Artist Sean Thomas.
Vose Scholarship for the Study of American Art History
During the Copley Society of art's annual Student Show, which features the artwork of our student artist members, the Society, in conjunction with the Vose Family, grants one lucky art history student a generous scholarship to pursue his or her love of American Art History. The award, totalling $1500, enables the recipient to continue his or her research on a specific topic in the field. The 2007 recipient was Carrie Butt of Tufts University.