Mary Lou Parrella Prize Awarded to Alexander Taylor
Elmira, NY (04/20/2021) — The Mary Lou Parrella Prize is given by Lina Parrella in memory of her niece, a member of the Class of 1965, to a gifted Elmira College freshman or sophomore in the field of fine arts. This year the prize has been awarded to a multi-talented sophomore, Alexander Taylor '23.
"I am honored to have been selected to receive The Mary Lou Parrella Prize," said Taylor. "It is truly humbling to know that my work is being noticed by members of the Elmira College community, and I plan to continue my creative and artistic practices for the rest of my time here. Thank you to those at Elmira College who have provided me the opportunity to showcase my artwork and have the freedom to create."
Jan Kather, who nominated Taylor for the award, said, "He has enthusiastically shared his talents with the Elmira College community since his freshman year, when, in his first weeks as a student, he volunteered to design a birthday poster to announce the 50th Anniversary of the Gannett-Tripp Library."
Taylor is a member of Circle K International, TEACH Club, as well as Community Arts of Elmira. He has also won multiple awards such as the Elmira College Arts Alive Juried Show 2020 and the 2020 Mark Twain Art and Writing contest. He hopes to one day be a professional artist as well as an art teacher.
"Two of Alex's new paintings are now featured in the current Term II 2021 exhibition of student art at the Gannett-Tripp Library," added Kather. "It is clear that Alex is dedicated to creating art and sharing it with others. For this reason, he has been recognized as a most deserving student of this prestigious award. Congratulations!"
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The Mary Lou Parrella Prize is given by Lina Parrella in memory of her niece, a member of the Class of 1965, to a gifted Elmira College freshman or sophomore in the field of fine arts. This year the prize has been awarded to a multi-talented sophomore, Alexander Taylor ’23.