Catron Scholars explore, expand artistic interests
As part of its mission to support undergraduate research across disciplines, the Charles Center is supporting seven undergraduates in their artistic pursuits over the summer through the Louis E. Catron Scholarship for Artistic Development.
Every year Catron summer grants award students up to $5000 to participate in an off-campus educational experience of their choosing related to creative or performing arts. This year’s recipients represent an array of interests within the arts, including screen printing, dance, film, photography, painting, and digital art.
English and theatre double major Cate Oken ’27 is spending the summer working as a marketing intern at Ensemble Arts Philly. During the internship, she will improve her promotional skills and learn about theatre administration.
“I grew up seeing shows at Ensemble Arts Philly, so it is a huge dream come true to work at the performing arts center that inspired me to pursue a career in theatre,” said Oken. “I am thankful to the Charles Center for supporting such an amazing experience.”
By comparison, art major Katelyn Workman ’27 is participating in a seven-week Summer Art Intensive at Mount Gretna School of Art. Providing food, housing, and studio space, the program will allow her to enhance her landscape painting and drawing skills through daily instruction.
“I am excited to be in a focused art environment with the opportunity to explore location specific study areas,” said Workman. “I am looking forward to trying different mediums and faculty approaches to expand my understanding of the art-making process. The time of focused study will benefit and enable growth in ways the demands of academic rigor prohibits at times.”
English major Angelina Joa ’26 is using a Catron grant to enroll in three online classes offered by the Concept Design Academy, based in Pasadena, California.
In “Fundamentals of Color & Light Design,” Joa will learn to apply the foundational knowledge of oil painting to the digital landscape. “Figure Quick Sketch” will allow her to employ both the use of traditional drawing materials and digital media, while “Dynamic Sketching” focuses solely on the use of more conventional art supplies.
According to Joa, the experience fulfills a lifelong dream.
“I often joke with my friends that if I could go back fifteen years, I would dedicate myself solely to learning art and one day work in an animation studio,” Joa continued, “but now that I have the resources to take the classes I otherwise would have never been able to afford, it's almost like that dream is somewhat becoming reality.”
Joa says that the opportunity to enroll in these classes will help her to uniquely integrate her studies in English with her love for artistic creation.
“As someone who is not an art major, I lack much of the expertise and credentials my fellow peers have,” she said. “However, I would love to combine my major in English with my love and passion for the arts in some sort of capacity in the future in my career, and I believe this is a huge step forward in the right direction.”