J.R. Hopes Art Scholarship

The review committee is pleased to announce five winners from all areas of the UCF art department. All applicants are commended for the fine work you submitted and for the excellent artist statements outlining your goals as artists.

"Congratulations to all the recipients of these awards. Your talent, focus, and initiative are to be admired, and you will go far as artists in your careers."—JR Hopes

Austyn Bynon

Sculpture

"There are boundaries present between what may be considered 'Fine Art' and 'Fashion'. I wish to merge the two in a way that each compliments the other, in a sense that Fine Art can be worn instead of just hung on the gallery wall. I came to UCF with raw talent, and through my college career I have been refining my skills in design as well as learning new techniques in drawing, digital art, photography, ceramics and sculpture. I have been developing a minor in business by taking classes in marketing, entrepreneurship and finance to learn what it will take for me to be successful as an artist in such a competitive field. "

Christina Gardiakos

Video

"As a so-called 'Third Culture Kid,' I grew up all over the world, moving across many countries, such as Japan, Hong Kong, Greece, and England. In my art, I see these cultural influences taking on the form of multiple visual and social perspectives. My ultimate career goal as an artist is to create positive change in my local community. I would like to use my degree and professional experience to create an affordable, sustainable program run by artists that teaches art to middle and high school age students."

Jordan Guzman

Painting

"I am learning much more than how to draw a line but how that line represents more than mere materials but an idea, an emotion, content. As I study more about the importance of art in history and culture I am always convinced that what I am pursuing is not a waste of time but a real opportunity to shape the culture we live in. My ultimate career goal is to lead an organization, in the next 10 years, which travels worldwide informing Christian churches about the importance of building and cultivating an artistic community. I would love for the artists’ gifts and talent to be validated, embraced and built up in order to further unity in diversity within their local community."

Daniel Lukas

Digital Media

"I grew up drawing with pencils on paper, but that wasn't enough. I wanted more. I took it upon myself to learn Adobe Photoshop when other kids my age didn't even know what that was. A few years after that, I wanted even more. I had the opportunity to explore my curiosity of 3D modeling and animation in high school. Ever since then I have been passionate about preparing myself for a career in the 3D industry."

Jacoub Reyes

Photography

"From an early age, I was exposed to different mediums and ways of expressing myself. This was aided by frequent interactions with literature, museums and science centers. I hope to someday have touring shows in world-renowned galleries and become known on the international level. As an artist, I want to challenge the audience's senses and aid them in trying to see past the picture plane."