VALDOSTA STATE MAGAZINE 71 creating a scholarship for three-dimensional art students at VSU.” Julie Bowland, professor of art and director of VSU’s Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery, said she is “thrilled” by the opportunities that the Martha G. Smart Scholarship gives to art students who work in three dimensions. “It means so much to students to be acknowledged for their hard work and achievements in something they really care about — their art,” she said. “The gift of a scholarship affirms that they are on the right track and that their efforts have not gone unnoticed.” “Practically speaking, art supplies are expensive, and it’s a nice boost to receive not only a pat on the back but also a tangible ‘congratulations’ for what they’ve done. Perhaps a scholarship student will take an extra risk and try a new material due to the gift of the Martha G. Smart Scholarship.” The first recipients of the Martha G. Smart Scholarship, named in August 2017, each received $1,000 to support their education. “The scholarship helped me all throughout the Fall 2017 semester,” said Sarah Moore, one of the first two recipients of the Martha G. Smart Scholarship. The Douglas, Georgia, resident graduated on Dec. 9, 2017, with a Bachelor of Arts in art. She plans to eventually earn a master’s degree and teach art at the university level. “Every dollar given to me meant more time in the studio honing my skills instead of having to work more hours at a part-time job. I’m incredibly honored to have been one of the first recipients. It was the perfect way to close out my last semester here at VSU.” Sara Pratt, the other scholarship recipient, said receiving the scholarship “personally meant a lot because it represented how hard I’ve pushed myself to learn as much as I can and to keep creating.” “The money is going toward tools and education costs,” said Pratt, a Valdosta, Georgia, native and art major who expects to graduate in Spring 2019. “It’s helping me to further my love for ceramics.” Maulesaidthepurposeofthescholarshipisto “givemymotheralegacyinnurturingstudents.” “This is her legacy,” she said. “Her name will always be there. She didn’t give a tremendous amount of money, but this shows that smaller amounts of money can be used to make a big difference.” VSU’s Martha G. Smart Gallery — formerly known as the Student Gallery — is located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street. It offers a unique venue for student and class exhibitions, installations, and collaborative ventures.