The first Leo Carty Fine Art Scholarship made news in 2022 with its award to St. Croix Educational Complex High School graduating student and Valedictorian Karim Henry. The $2,500 scholarship gave Henry a head start toward his freshman year at Savannah College of Art and Design in his pursuit of a career in the visual arts.
The Carty family committed $2,500 to be awarded four years to four students totaling $10,000.
With careful consideration, Stefan Carty, founder and owner of Carty Fine Arts, decided to continue assisting Henry with the scholarship for his sophomore year and going forward with the assistance through his last year at SCAD instead of selecting a new student annually.
“We feel strongly that the larger impact would be made in Karim’s future by making the long-term commitment in his academic journey. As a result, the decision was made to commit and continue the scholarship for the second year and beyond,” he said.
“Since Karim completed his freshman year maintaining a 4.0 GPA at SCAD, the goal is to stick with each recipient for their full four-year endeavor, provided a 3.5 GPA is maintained,” Carty said.
Henry told the Source the scholarship was a big help in his freshman year. “It will help me again this year. It will certainly take the weight off of my shoulders.”
Carty felt Henry was the right person to be the first recipient after meeting his mother and his younger brother. Upon hearing Henry’s story from Danica David, his teacher in kindergarten and later at SCECHS, Carty knew Henry was exceptional, not only as a student but also as an individual. Carty could see that Henry was definitely doing his part in getting the 4.0 average.
“I see the growth in his work. He’s a fine young man. We want to build a relationship over the four years. And what better way to honor my dad’s legacy than to have that relationship, rather than to randomly give out an award without a relationship. I think that is what we intended the scholarship to be, and it’s turning out just as it should be with Karim,” he said.
“He is the first,” Carty said. “And I think it’s the right thing to do. It feels good. It’s good to hear Karim say it’s a great help and that it takes some pressure off of him so he can focus on academics. It’s a ‘win-win’ and we’d like to be at SCAD for his graduation.”
David said she has seen Henry’s work throughout the years and seen his dedication to the arts. “I’m so proud of him and so happy for him,” she said.
“I know how hard it is going to art school. It’s expensive. It’s so great that Karim is continuing with his art. He’s a rare breed,” David said. “Not too many students want to go to art school. I can think of about three of them who have completed and I’m proud of them.”
David spoke about Henry’s dedication. “He’s really serious about his education. He comes home and he works at Plaza during his breaks from school,” she said. “What’s more fitting than Karim receiving a full four-year scholarship? He really deserves the recognition,” David said.
Henry’s major at SCAD is Interactive Design and Game Development. “I learn about all the areas of developing video games, such as programming, character design, and modeling. I have the freedom to take an all-rounded approach or a more specialized approach with specific classes geared toward certain roles. This major also teaches how to apply the skills learned in fields not necessarily related to video games that have similar skills.”
Carty reminds the community that works of the late Leo Carty are always available to purchase at Cane Roots Art Gallery on Company Street in downtown Christiansted. Proceeds from those works will fund the Leo Carty Fine Art Scholarships for future recipients.
For more information:
Follow Carty Fine Arts Studio on Facebook.
Follow Stefan Carty on Facebook.
canerootsartgallery.com
