San Francisco, CA—October 12, 2026— California College of the Arts is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of a high-impact, full-tuition scholarship for graduating seniors finishing their degrees in Fine Arts programs at CCA. The $2 million endowed scholarship was created in 2023.

Five students within the division have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Michael and Jeannette Lopez Endowed Scholarship based on artistic merit, as determined by California College of the Arts faculty. The recipients include Whyatt Elswick (Painting and Drawing), Jorji Cowan-Monero (Individualized), Ryann Caston-Hill (Animation), Yani Huang (Photography), and Sebastian Abrea (Animation). Ashari Blue (Furniture), Lauren Heusler (Textiles), Sol Lum (Animation), and Blair Doss (Individualized) also received honorable mentions. The scholarship funds tuition for each student’s senior year, for a maximum of two semesters.

“This scholarship represents a meaningful opportunity for our Fine Arts students as they prepare for the next chapter of their creative journeys,” said Curtis Hidemasa Arima, Dean of Fine Arts at California College of the Arts. “Beyond the financial support, this gift is an investment in the creative potential of emerging artists and the important contributions they will make to our communities. We are deeply grateful to Michael and Jeannette Lopez for their generosity, their belief in our students, and their commitment to sustaining a vibrant arts community in San Francisco.”

Student submissions were identified through the Fine Arts Junior Review, a review required for all juniors majoring in Fine Arts studio programs. The Junior Review is an opportunity for students to evaluate their artistic and educational development, in which students meet with a small interdisciplinary group of CCA professors to review their work. As part of this process, faculty recommend students for All College Honors. Those recommended for the All College Honors were eligible for the scholarship.

This year’s jury included Assistant Professor Lydia Greer, Assistant Professor Heesoo Kwon, Associate Professor Karla Wozniak, Associate Professor Christina La Sala, Assistant Professor Taro Hattori, and Professor and Dean of Fine Arts Curtis Hidemasa Arima. Each scholarship winner showcased a strong body of work, unique points of view, and creative approaches to their respective areas of study.

About Jeannette and Michael Lopez

Jeannette and Michael Lopez are longtime supporters of California College of the Arts. In 2023, they established the $2 million Michael and Jeannette Lopez Endowed Scholarship to support graduating students in Fine Arts programs.

Michael Lopez is a 1963 alumnus of CCA in Sculpture and received his MFA in Painting in 1970. He taught Ceramics and Ceramics Sculpture at CCA from 1964–1969, and later taught Ceramics at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. He was an exhibiting artist, primarily known for non-functional ceramics that combine wheel thrown and hand built forms.