Coral Springs Craft Guild recognizes local student artists with scholarships supporting creative talent across multiple high school programs in the community
Coral Springs, Florida – The Coral Springs Craft Guild has once again highlighted the creative talent of local students, awarding scholarships to three graduating seniors whose work stood out across a wide range of artistic styles and disciplines. The nonprofit organization distributed a total of $2,000 in scholarships this year, continuing a long tradition of supporting young artists in the community.
Guild members completed judging on April 22, carefully reviewing submissions that reflected different forms of artistic expression. Entries included costume design, ceramics, digital illustration, and traditional painting. The selection process was competitive, with each piece showing a personal approach to creativity and storytelling. According to the organization, more than $73,000 in scholarships has been awarded since its founding in 1984, a milestone that reflects decades of community involvement and support for the arts.
First place went to Logan Priest, a Coral Springs resident and student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who received a $1,000 scholarship for his standout submission. Priest’s work included a life-size Ursula costume inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” constructed with an unexpected mix of found materials such as bottle caps, shells, pearls, fabric, and wire mesh. His portfolio also featured a ceramic alligator sculpture and a detailed costume design board that helped complete his presentation.
Priest’s artistic background has already drawn attention beyond this award. The Craft Guild noted that he has earned superior ratings for costume designs inspired by “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “The Lion King,” and he has also been recognized in the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards fashion category. His future plans are focused and ambitious, as he prepares to attend the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music to study theater design and costume technology.
The second-place award of $500 was given to Ariana Blanc of Parkland, another student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Blanc submitted a collection that included acrylic paintings and digital artwork, featuring expressive portraits of pets and a self-portrait created alongside her twin brother. Her work focused on emotion and personal connection, blending traditional painting with digital creativity in a way that stood out to the judges.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Blanc has a diverse set of interests and accomplishments. The Guild noted that she is also a competitive wrestler who has earned All-American honors and placed in both state and district championships. Despite her athletic success, she plans to take a different academic path, aiming to attend the University of Central Florida to pursue a nursing degree. Her mix of discipline in sports and creativity in art reflects a wide range of talents that made her application notable.
The third-place scholarship, known as the $500 Sky Belcher Memorial Scholarship, was awarded to Amar Shatila of Coral Springs Charter School. Shatila presented a series of acrylic paintings inspired by song lyrics and personal emotional themes, along with self-portraits that explored identity and expression. His work combined visual storytelling with a strong sense of mood, giving viewers a window into his artistic perspective.
Shatila is also active in his school’s music program, performing percussion for Coral Springs Charter bands. He plans to continue developing his creative skills at the University of Central Florida, where he will study studio art with the goal of pursuing a career in concept design. His scholarship recognizes both his artistic potential and his commitment to exploring multiple forms of expression.
The Coral Springs Craft Guild itself has been a steady supporter of local arts for nearly five decades. Founded as a nonprofit organization, it raises funds through community efforts including raffles, donations, and its annual Craft Show and Holiday Boutique. These events help sustain its scholarship program and other charitable contributions.
This year’s Craft Show is scheduled for Oct. 2-3 at the La Quinta Inn and Suites in Coral Springs, where the Guild will once again bring together artists, supporters, and community members in celebration of creativity and local talent.
