One of the things the Hilltop Arts Festival funds is the Pinkerton Award.
A new scholarship was first presented during May 2014 Elkmont High School Class Day. The Hilltop Arts Society Pinkerton
Award is awarded to an Elkmont High School senior to help them fund their
college education. This $750 scholarship can be used at any university or
college. The Pinkerton requires a student to submit photos of their art work
or performance, write a 500 word essay on the importance of art in the
community and to show proof of community involvement and service.
More
About the Pinkerton Award:
Hello,
my name is Preston Pylant and I am the founder of the Hilltop Arts
Society. When I started on this venture 3 years ago it was to bring
something fun and different to the community, but also to encourage kids
who love art, but who live in a world that is ceasing to educate and
produce the next generation of great artists. I want to encourage those students
with talent and even those without natural talent to pick up a paint brush, to
write a line of poetry, to act out a scene, to play their favorite bars of
music, and to use their talents to improve their
community.
For
the past two years the Hilltop Arts Society with support from the Town of
Elkmont has held the Hilltop Arts Festival downtown. Artists from
all over North Alabama have gathered in our town to showcase and sell their
work and play their music, and we have been blessed to be a part of such a
special gathering. The question was left, however, on how to
spend the money raised by hosting the festival. It made sense that
the money should go to the support of future of art in our area, and that an
art scholarship would be the best way to achieve this. Thus, the
Pinkerton Award was formed.
The
Pinkerton award is named after 2002 graduate of Elkmont High School, Neil
Pinkerton. Neil was a fantastic musician, actor, artist and
friend. Tragically Neil was killed in an automobile accident shortly
after his graduation, but we remember him often for the uniqueness of his spirit
and the greatness of his talent. Neil was never able to achieve his full
potential as an artist, and this award is a way to remember Neil’s artistic
spirit by helping another artist on their path to reaching their
potential.
The Hilltop Arts
society is proud to announce Samantha J. Pressnell as the recipient of the 2015
Pinkerton Award. The award was given at Elkmont High School Senior Class
Awards day on May 22, 2015.
Samantha is the
daughter of Dennis and Karen Pressnell. She was named to the Top 10
students in her class and is the recipient of many other honors and
awards. Samantha has a record of academic excellence, a strong work
ethic, and a commitment to community service that cannot be
ignored.
Her artistic
accomplishments include placing 3rd in the Onsite Acrylic Art
competition at the 2013 Senior Beta Club Convention as well as having a piece
she created during the Bob Ross workshop, sponsored by Elkmont High School,
chosen for exhibition in Huntsville. Ms. Pressnell plans to attend the
University of Alabama in Huntsville to pursue an accounting degree, but she
plans to use her accounting degree to fund her art school
education.
Congratulations to Ms. Pressnell. The Hilltop Arts Society commends
her on all of her achievements and wishes her the best of luck in her future
endeavors.
More About the Pinkerton Award:
Hello, my name is
Preston Pylant and I am the founder of the Hilltop Arts Society.
When I started on this venture a few years ago, it was to bring something fun
and different to the community, but also to encourage kids who love
art, but who live in a world that is ceasing to educate and produce the
next generation of great artists.I want to encourage those students with talent
and even those without natural talent to pick up a paint brush, to write a line
of poetry, to act out a scene, to play their favorite bars of music, and to use
their talents for the betterment of their community.
For the past several years the Hilltop Arts Society with support from the Town
of Elkmont has held the Hilltop Arts Festival downtown. Artists
from all over North Alabama have gathered in our town to showcase and sell
their work and play their music, and we have been blessed to be a part of such
a special gathering. The question was left, however, on how
to spend the money raised by hosting the festival. It made sense
that the money should go to the support of future of art in our area, and that
an art scholarship would be the best way to achieve this. Thus, the
Pinkerton Award was formed.
The Pinkerton award is named after 2002 graduate of Elkmont High School Neil
Pinkerton. Neil was a fantastic musician, actor, artist and
friend. Tragically Neil was killed in automobile accident shortly
after his graduation, but we remember him often for the uniqueness of his
spirit and the greatness of his talent. Neil was never able to achieve his full
potential as an artist, and this award is a way to remember Neil’s artistic
spirit by helping another artist on their path to reaching their
potential.
There will be country, classical string, pop, and lite classic rock. It will be a mix of acoustic and some electric...
