2026
Eight committee members selected 11 art major students to receive scholarships on
February 8, 2026. There was a record 50 applicants to consider with 3 images of each
student’s submission… 150 images to view! We met at 10:00 and at 1:30 we completed
the selections and the name of the scholarship each student receives.
Arizona Clay Association had one selection that represented the student that was
considered one of the top ceramic entries. Arizona Artists Guild awarded 7 students with
a variety of artist styles and genres. AWA was looking for students in the genre of water
media and awarded three $1,000.
The following scholarships were awarded:
- Lily Regalia – Arizona State University – Recipient of the AWA – Robert Oliver
Arizona Architecture Foundation – $1,000 - Jaime Schmidt – Arizona State University – Recipient of the AWA – Del Decil –
$1,000 - Negar Nazari – University of Arizona – Recipient of the AWA – Gayla Bonnell –
$1,000
This selection process involves a deep consideration of each applicant’s resume, bio and
the images they send for application.
It is very rewarding to know that each applicant is given a fair and equal opportunity to
receive a scholarship. The selection committee is very thorough and thoughtful in this
important decision for art major students.
-Dyanne Locati, AWA Scholarship Chair
Lily Regalia – Recipient of the AWA – Robert Oliver Arizona Architecture Foundation Scholarship
Jaime Schmidt – Recipient of the AWA – Del Decil Scholarship
Negar Nazari – Recipient of the AWA – Gayla Bonnell Scholarship
Del Decil Scholarship Fund
Stella Waters Decil (Del) was a prolific oil and watercolor artist and longtime member of AWA. A popular workshop instructor and juror in Arizona and New Mexico, she was a teacher of painting and drawing for the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department. She critiqued art students at Maricopa Tech and was a juror of the Youth Division AZ State Fair. She was published in numerous magazines and newspapers, and her paintings hung in several collections in 20 states.
A monetary legacy was bequeathed from her estate to be used for college art students. This program was developed in 2009 under the direction of AWA President, Diane Parnitzke. The program offers up to $3000, to be awarded to the student (s) whose artwork demonstrates artistic merit and achievement in the area of water-media. The winning student (s) receives the scholarship to the school of their choice for tuition/books/art materials.
Joint Venture with AWA and AAG
AWA was fortunate to recently join Arizona Artists Guild Scholarship Committee in the task of finding candidates for the AWA Del Decil Scholarship. AAG is well known among the local colleges and frequently had candidates who submitted water media artworks to their committee. Because of these contacts, and the well-established process, AWA was able to reach a broader group of students to receive our scholarship. Note: the Del Decil Scholarship is given from the fund established by Del Decil in her legacy and does not impact AWA’s operating funds.
Past scholarship recipients:
2018: Michael Loren Diaz
2019: Breanna Kohlmeyer, Kareem Ferreira, Lee Davenport
2020: Ruchi Ukhade, John Bedard
2021: Kelsey Philips and Hannah Schollmacher
2022: Eli Duarte, Emily Kray, Jesus Sanchez
2023: Arianna Barley, Claire Taylor, Mehraveh Vahediyan
2024: Thanh Do, Xianna Montoya, Marilyn Garcia
2025: Alondra Mora, Aevah Rios