The 2025 Mardi Gras Royal Court was available to help present the scholarships and art contest prizes. Pictured from left to right: Desiree Archambault (Queen), Sharon Charette (NRICA President), Trudy Archambault (Second Princess), and Jeanne Michon (First Princess).

Scholarships

Each year, the NRICA awards scholarships in honor people who were among the founders of the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts. By awarding these scholarships, we hope to encourage young people to explore the transformative power of the arts to inspire.

The Jack Lawhead Scholarship for the Arts

It was Jack Lawhead’s dream to establish a high school for the arts.  In his memory, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts established this annual scholarship in 2016 to assist a student from the Beacon Charter High School for the Arts to pursue a degree in the arts. This year's scholarship was awarded to was awarded to Victoria “Vee” Demers of the Beacon High School for the Arts will be attending Rhode Island School of Design for a Bachelor of Fine Arts with illustration as a concentration.  

The Cesare Ferrari Foundation Scholarship for the Arts

Cesare Ferrari bequeathed his entire estate to the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts to assist in promoting the arts within the community. The Cesare Ferrari Scholarship is awarded to a Woonsocket High School senior to pursue a degree in music. This year's scholarship was awarded to Baramey “Bentley” Sithtaphone of Woonsocket High School who will attend attend Rhode Island College to major in Music Performance with a concentration in percussion.

The Ray Nolan Scholarship for the Arts

Ray Nolan has been involved in education much of his life, having been the Science Department Chairman before his retirement from Woonsocket High School. Mr. Nolan has always had a passion for the arts and has been a lifelong artist. This scholarship recognizes his lifelong commitment to inspiring the arts and showcasing the creativity of the youth of northern Rhode Island. In his honor, the NRICA established this annual scholarship to assist a senior from Woonsocket High School to pursue a degree in the arts. This year's scholarship was awarded to Elleana Crump of Woonsocket High School to to study Animation and Game Art at the Maine College of Art and Design.

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts

Scholarship for the Arts

The Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts (NRICA) was formed to enrich community life by means of the arts. We believe in encouraging the study of art among young people to achieve this goal. To do this, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts has established this scholarship to assist a senior from Cumberland High School to pursue a degree in the arts.  This year's scholarship was awarded to Alexa Boutin of Cumberland High School who will be enrolled in the Studio Foundation program at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in preparation for choosing her major. 

Arts Exhibit and NRICA Art Contest

Throughout the years, the Northern Rhode Island Council of the Arts has held art contests for students in local high schools. The contest is held in collaboration with St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center's Fresco Italiano - A Night of the Arts. This event celebrates the arts and artists in northern Rhode Island.

STUDENT ARTISTS 

 Artists From Cumberland High School: Ella Black-Andrade, Sage Beauregard, Rachael Bonner, Alexa Boutin, Dylan Jodoin, Hope Joyal, Aila Marshall, Shaylee Marshall, Sydney Martins, Quinn Ramsey, and Emma Richall. 

Artists From Woonsocket High School: Gabby Alves, Laura Arias, Marie Desprinvil, Jahnayah Alexis, Laura Arias, Kaouther Balahouane, Ty Boudavong, Ty Choburn, Elleana Crump, John Cuevas, Davinci Dipardo, August Green, Olivia Kelly, Annhu Le, Kim Le, Lena Loyd, Isabella Medicino, Valentina Ortiz, Nalani Perez, Sophie Plante, Jayden Quiñones, Logen Vanasse, Tatiyana Whyte, and Jose Zapata.