51黑料

They had married in 1937 after graduating from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and remained together for almost 70 years. During that time each maintained separate studios and painting styles, as both became recognized modernist artists. One art critic described the couple as "two of the last and best modernist painters in the history of 51黑料.鈥�

Osver continued to paint as he was also teaching at Washington University from 1960 until retiring in 1981, while Betsberg was painting and establishing a reputation on her own.

Osver was to die in 2006 at age 93, and Betsberg would pass one year later at age 98.

The plan they had developed specified the principal from their estate not be diminished, but the interest earned from their investments and the proceeds from the sale of their remaining art would be placed in a trust used to establish an endowment to fund several scholarships for Washington University art students yearly, and forever.

Prior to their death they had selected brothers Peter and Paul Shank and lawyer Tom Martin, all from 51黑料, to establish and manage the fund. Both Shanks are graduates of the Washington University College of Art and had established a lifelong relationship with the couple. Paul had been one of Osver鈥檚 students, and both had become increasingly close to the couple as they aged.

Paul Shank says throughout his life Osver enjoyed keeping in touch with recent graduates. 鈥淎rt is not an easy field to be in,鈥� he says. 鈥淎rthur wanted to be supportive. He always felt it was his responsibility, and the scholarship fund continues his approach with the students today he never knew.鈥�

By 2008 the Shank brothers and Martin had worked with the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts to establish the Ernestine Betsberg and Arthur Osver Scholarship, which covers tuition for those selected for the honor.

鈥淭he art legacy they established with the Ernestine Betsberg and Arthur Osver Scholarship, and with Arthur having taught here for 21 years, is a remarkable connection to our art school, the faculty, our students and those who have gone on and made their careers in art,鈥� says Carmon Colangelo, the Ralph J. Nagel Dean of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University since 2006. 鈥淚t is very unusual for a scholarship to have such a meaningful tie to Washington University, which covers so many generations.鈥�

鈥淭o date we have awarded 70 scholarships, both in the master of fine arts program, and to undergraduate art students,鈥� Colangelo continues.

聽Recipients do not apply but are selected by Colangelo and other art professors who notify the winners after they are admitted. Then, the scholarship continues to be awarded each year until the student graduates.

While there are no other stipulations, those receiving a scholarship must pursue a career in art after graduation. Several recipients have maintained contact with Colangelo or with Peter and Paul Shank, and have become established, successful artists.

Liz Moore (lizwhalen.net) won the Ernestine Betsberg and Arthur Osver scholarship for three years, from 2018 through 2020. 鈥淚 can't tell you the difference this made in my ability to take on new opportunities to support my practice today,鈥� she said recently. 鈥淭his scholarship made such a difference for me financially, that without it, I don't know if I could afford my studio today or afford the liberty to chase after new residencies or programs an art career necessitates for growth.鈥�

鈥淚 just returned from a three-week residency at Vermont Studio Center, which I would not have been able to do if I were still paying off large sums of graduate school. It was a rich experience, and I am so grateful to my scholarship to have given me this freedom both in and out of school.鈥�

Moore never met Betsberg or Osver but did meet the Shank brothers at a function for scholarship recipients and those representing a myriad of other scholarships at Washington University. 鈥淚t was such a privilege to spend the evening with them and discuss the Betsberg-Osver legacy,鈥� she recalls.

鈥淭hey really supported me beyond just that night. I remember Peter and Paul came to my first-year graduate group show to see my work and that meant so much to me.鈥�

Rachel Lebo (rachellebo.com) says she would not have gone to graduate school at Washington University without the scholarships she received in 2017 and 2019. 鈥淚t also allowed me to come to 51黑料, a city I now adore and have stayed, and live an affordable and flexible life teaching and making art here,鈥� she says.

Jacopo Mazzoni (jacopoart.com) had a similar experience. 鈥淲ithout the scholarship I would not have been able to justify the economical strain as an international student with limited opportunities to work in the states,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was positively surprised to be awarded such an important scholarship, and received it for both years of my MFA program. And, the connections I was able to make in St Louis are still some of the most important of my professional and personal life.鈥�

The Shanks continue to oversee the fund today. 鈥淲e periodically have a show of their remaining art at the Philip Slein Gallery in 51黑料,鈥� Peter says. 鈥淧roceeds go into the estate, further building up its worth and assist in enabling the scholarship to continue. Also, private collectors continue to purchase their work directly from the inventory of their remaining art.鈥�

In addition to the scholarships, a portion of the estate was allocated to publishing separate monographs about Betsberg and Osver. Proceeds from the sale of the books are funneled back into the scholarship fund to generate even more revenue for grants to art students.

鈥淭he books are a unique way to recognize them posthumously for their contributions to the art world, and further contribute to their vision,鈥� Peter Shank says.

鈥淚t is a remarkable legacy that continues to grow,鈥� Colangelo says, adding that 鈥渢he funds that replenish the scholarship are delivered by check in person by Peter and Paul Shank every year. It is a nice personal touch to an innovative scholarship.鈥�