Tanner Smith receives arts scholarship

Tanner Smith was notified May 24 that he had won a $4,000 arts scholarship from Sub Pop Records, a label out of Seattle representing artists such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, The Shins, and Iron and Wine. Three scholarships were offered to students who live in either Washington or Oregon who wish to pursue the arts. Tanner received second place.

A month ago, Rick Johnson, the choral director at Sisters High School, brought the scholarship opportunity to the attention of students he thought might qualify.

"Tanner certainly deserves it," Johnson stated. "It will be interesting to see where he goes with his art.

"To obtain the scholarship Tanner had to write an essay and send links to his art. Luckily, he had all the pieces in place. With some help he had already put his portfolio on a website for college applications (www.

tannersmith.tv). The portfolio is backed by one of the songs he wrote in the Americana Project."

"I'm really grateful to Sub Pop, but this wouldn't have happened if Mr. Johnson hadn't let us know about it," Smith said. "He told me to go for it."

Sub Pop wrote on their website: "He is a songwriter, a drummer and is a really incredible sculptor. He is from Sisters, Oregon, and has been involved in jazz festivals and many charity projects. Watch "his' video with slides of his sculptures backed by a song that he wrote!" (www.subpop.com/channel/blog/loser_winners_announced).

Tanner will apply the scholarship to attend Massachusetts College of the Arts' (www.MassArt.edu) sculpture program.