Editor’s Note: The Baum School of Art, including its students, patrons and administrators, is adjusting to the time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

First of three parts

The Baum School of Art awarded full, half and quarter scholarships to nearly 50 students from age five through 17 during a virtual presentation of the “Children & Teen Student Exhibition” awards ceremony.

Baum School of Art Executive Director Shannon Fugate introduced the April 18 online event with staff and faculty taking turns with praise and encouragement recorded from their homes.

Two students from each class were nominated by their instructors for the art awards.

With the Baum School closed to the public because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown, the student artwork this year wasn’t displayed in the David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries, as it was in past years.

The students’ creative achievements can be viewed online.

Half-tuition scholarships for one course went to those receiving Meritorious Awards. Honorable Mention Awards recipients received quarter-tuition scholarships for the 2020-2021 fall, spring and winter sessions at the Baum School.

Drawing and painting, ceramics, sculpture, exploring art, graphic design, Manga, comics and cartoons, digital animation, fashion design, and sewing were among the award categories.

Meritorious Awards went to Mei Li Cheng, Natasha Ding, Carissa Kalmar, Genevieve Tabor, Victoria Ortiz, Aiden Koelle, Wenlan Zhoa, Alyssa Stoudt, Eva Martinez, Maci Roman, Jaxson Franke, Anaia Mueller, Ari Bowman, Joseph Gow and Grace Bethman.

Honorable Mentions Awards were given to Ryleigh Murphy, Elizabeth Kutz, Sophia Daroche, Olivia Sienkiewicz, Ella Hesketh Hartshorne, Mia Guo, Jade Aguiluz, Faith Melendez, Maya Hidalgo-Schnaars, Charlotte Lemay, Thomas Bartko and Evan Mori.

Art scholarships for teenagers covering a one-week summer course were awarded to four students.

Michael Kern and Sevyn Jones were each conferred a John Hudders Memorial Award.

Art Potosnak Memorial Award teen scholarships went to Rhianna Eppler and Kayzee Brown.

For 27 years, the Allentown Neighborhood Arts Program has provided full tuition certificates to children who are recommended by their art teachers from 12 inner-city elementary schools.

This year’s scholarships were awarded to Ailani Alexander, Elisha Barlow, Samuel Sawn, Iris Melendez, Catherine Paz, Addison Thorpe, Anelissa Batista, Yerimar Perez, Brianna Cirino, Curtis Cooper, Brandon Lightle, Jay-Loni Odom, Yasmeen Mishrif, Sebastian Lora, Ryan Garcia, Dangelyz Morales, Amiah DeJesus and Jaiden Amaro.

The scholarships are named for the founders, notable artists, community leaders and supporters of the school.

These include Walter Emerson Baum, Edgar and June Baum, Barbara and Nolan Benner, Jr., Hans and Hellen Moller, Dr. Samuel Silberg, William R. Zwikl, David E. Rodale, Harry Bertoia, Dr. Rudy S. Ackerman, Bob and Sandy Lovett, Mary Lou Cummings, Charles C. Dent, Linny and Beall Fowler, Jim and Bertie Musselman, Zelenkofske family, and Mimi Conneen Miley, among others.

The scholarships are funded through private donations.

The Zelenkofske family sponsored the event. Dr. Steven Zelenkofske and his son Jacob Zelenkofske also shared videos.

Information: www.baumschool.org; www.youtube.com/watch?v=POMJktpBYEU

Next week: The Baum School of Art teaches online with “Artist-in-Your-Residence.”