CBAA Scholarship Winner Sophia McConnell on Exhibit at the Studios of Cocoa Beach Art Gallery, May 2025
Each spring the Central Brevard Art Association awards a scholarship to a deserving central Brevard County high school senior. It’s 21st and 65th Anniversary Student Scholarship recipient is Sophia McConnell from Satellite Beach High School. The Studios of Cocoa Beach and Ridley’s Custom Framing of Palm Bay have teamed up to present an exhibit of Sophia’s work. Her work will be on exhibit throughout the month of May at the Studio’s gallery, 165 Minutemen Cswy in downtown Cocoa Beach.
Sophia is a well rounded scholar as well as an artist, having private tutoring in Russian as well as multiple school classes in French and Spanish. She is an honors and AP student and plans to major in Fine Art and Emerging Media.
Away from art she has a long-standing love for Geology, Paleontology, Archaeology and the deserts of the western USA, which she feels influences her art in subtle ways. Her love of muted colors and her focus on surrealism leads her to wrap her subjects in fantastical , unsettling dream-like reality.
In making their decision, the CBAA found her art to be insightful and intuitive. Sophia says her art has been her passion since she was a young child. She uses a variety of mediums and techniques including clay and collage, although she is mostly a digital artist.
A collection of her work, professionally mounted by Ridley’s Custom Framing of Palm Bay will be on exhibit at the Studios of Cocoa Beach from May 5-June 1, 2025. A reception open to the public will be held at the Gallery on Friday May 9 from 6-8:30pm.
The gallery is open Monday through Saturday 9 am -7pm and Sunday 9-6 pm.
Sophia is a well rounded scholar as well as an artist, having private tutoring in Russian as well as multiple school classes in French and Spanish. She is an honors and AP student and plans to major in Fine Art and Emerging Media.
Away from art she has a long-standing love for Geology, Paleontology, Archaeology and the deserts of the western USA, which she feels influences her art in subtle ways. Her love of muted colors and her focus on surrealism leads her to wrap her subjects in fantastical , unsettling dream-like reality.
In making their decision, the CBAA found her art to be insightful and intuitive. Sophia says her art has been her passion since she was a young child. She uses a variety of mediums and techniques including clay and collage, although she is mostly a digital artist.
A collection of her work, professionally mounted by Ridley’s Custom Framing of Palm Bay will be on exhibit at the Studios of Cocoa Beach from May 5-June 1, 2025. A reception open to the public will be held at the Gallery on Friday May 9 from 6-8:30pm.
The gallery is open Monday through Saturday 9 am -7pm and Sunday 9-6 pm.
2nd place winners
On the left is Emma Krasza from Satellite Beach High
On the right is Lilee Kracht of Edgewood Jr/Sn High
On the left is Emma Krasza from Satellite Beach High
On the right is Lilee Kracht of Edgewood Jr/Sn High
CBAA Youth Scholarship Award Overview
The Central Brevard Art Association’s Youth Scholarship Award is presented in June, to a graduating high school senior who is continuing their art education. The award was started in 2004 through a donation by Gina Crabbs in memory of her mother, Theresa Barbini, both members of CBAA. In 2006, Helen Wheatley volunteered to act as chairperson and set the criteria for the selection process.
Each year, high school art teachers are asked to nominate their best students based on scholastic achievement, talent, and desire to pursue a degree in art or art related field. A volunteer committee of CBAA board members interviews the students and reviews samples of their work to select the student with the greatest potential to succeed.
Past Youth Scholarship Award recipients have included Hannah Mericle (2006) of Rockledge High School, Kaleigh McBride (2008) of Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School and Angelie Villacampa (2009) of Viera High School.
In 2010, in celebration of CBAA’s 50th anniversary, the board approved two scholarships, which were awarded to Monica Williams of Viera High School and Alyssa Yandell of West Shore Jr./Sr. High School.
We thank Ridley’s Custom Framing of Palm Bay for donating complimentary framing for our student winners for many years.
Central Brevard Art Association (CBAA)
Youth Scholarship Award Overview
| cbaa_scholarship_overview.pdf |