A Success Story: What an Art Scholarship can do!
Past Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation
Art Student Scholarship Winner
Turned her Passion Into Her Future!
For graduating high school seniors with a passion for creativity, the Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation is offering more than financial support—it’s offering a pathway to a thriving career in the arts. Just ask Tesla Kawakami.
A 2018 graduate of Edmonds-Woodway High School, Kawakami pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Western Washington University with the help of a renewable scholarship from the Foundation. That support allowed her to fully invest in her craft.
“Scholarships enabled me to focus on my art; I did not have to take a job outside of campus, which greatly contributed to my success,” Kawakami shared.
In addition to her Foundation scholarship, Kawakami received a prestigious award from the Sambataro family, an experience that helped solidify her confidence as an emerging artist.
“Receiving that award gave me the confidence to move forward as an artist because someone believed in me enough to extend that special honor.”
Kawakami’s journey with the Edmonds Arts Festival began long before college. As a grade school student, her work was featured in the Festival’s Student Art Gallery. By her second year as a scholarship recipient, she had advanced to exhibiting in the Festival’s Juried Art Gallery—an early sign of a promising career ahead.
Today, Kawakami is building a dynamic career in the arts. She works full-time with the Office of Arts & Culture Seattle while continuing to create and exhibit her own work. She collaborates with fellow artists connected to the Seattle Art Museum, has exhibited in Spokane, and has upcoming shows in Seattle galleries. Her work is currently featured in Shunpike Exhibits near the Seattle ferry terminal.
Her story is proof that investing in the arts can lead to real, sustainable opportunities.
Apply Now!
The Edmonds Arts Festival Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the upcoming academic year. High school seniors pursuing studies in the visual arts, performing arts, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Hurry, the deadline to apply is Sunday, April 10, 2026! www.edmondsartsfestival.com/art-student-scholarships.
Don’t just dream about a creative future—build one.
Money for these scholarships is raised through donations, a portion of the profits earned from the yearly Edmonds Arts Festival and the fundraising efforts of the Foundation; which includes Edmonds Arts Festival Sponsorships and ticket purchases for the Celebrate the Arts Party. Click here to donate. Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Click here to learn more about the Celebrate the Arts Party and to buy tickets.
Money for these scholarships is raised through donations, a portion of the profits earned from the yearly Edmonds Arts Festival and the fundraising efforts of the Foundation; which includes Edmonds Arts Festival Sponsorships and ticket purchases for the Celebrate the Arts Party. To donate, visit www.edmondsartsfestival.com/donate. To learn more about Sponsorship opportunities, visit www.edmondsartsfestival.com/festival-sponsorships. To learn more about the Celebrate the Arts Party and to buy tickets, visit www.edmondsartsfestival.com/celebrate-the-arts-party.