Business of Art Scholarship
2024 Scholarship Winner
Each year, in partnership with the San Diego Visual Arts Network, we award one emerging artist a scholarship called “The Business of Art Scholarship.”
Congratulations to our 2024 recipient, Ben Jay.
Ben Jay
Ben Jay is a spray can portrait artist who has lived in Pacific Beach, San Diego, for the better part of the last decade. Ben’s large-scale pieces come to life by combining his remarkable fine motor skills with wild color schemes and culturally-relevant subjects.
A creative visionary living with epilepsy, Ben’s art has evolved from being a bellwether for his own neurological healing, and grown into Blank Space Removal which, among other endeavors, provides portraiture plus artistic vision for local and nationwide agencies alike, such as the San Diego Epilepsy Foundation, the Bones Brigade Experience, and the George Floyd Memorial Center.
When he doesn’t have a can of spray-paint in his hands, you can find Ben skating and juggling simultaneously along the boardwalk in Pacific Beach.
Make sure to visit Ben’s booth at the upcoming Mission Fed ArtWalk! He will be near the intersection of India Street and Cedar Street.
Business of Art Scholarship
The Business of Art scholarship is a unique opportunity for an artist who has a body of work to showcase and is interested in selling their artwork during Mission Fed ArtWalk. Along with our partner, San Diego Visual Arts Network, we select one emerging artist to receive mentoring, a booth at the festival and more.
The Business of Art Scholarship recipient receives assistance with:
- Curation and presentation of artwork for Mission Fed ArtWalk booth
- Development of marketing tools for Mission Fed ArtWalk
- Guidance on effective interaction with Mission Fed ArtWalk audience
- Development of strategies for building on the Mission Fed ArtWalk experience
Mission Fed ArtWalk Benefits:
- Publicity opportunities for the selected visual artist
- A 10’ by 10’ exhibit tent at Mission Fed ArtWalk
- Dedicated page on event website
- Display walls for tent
- Morning news segments to showcase artwork (if opportunity is available for this)
San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) Benefits:
- Banner on the home page of SDVAN
- Ad on the homepage of the website in the Featured Events sidebar
- Listing in the events calendar with live links to the artist’s website
- Notice of event appearing in monthly messages which reaches an audience of thousands
- Feature in RAW Gossip Column
- Feature in SD View Art Now app
- Possible report of work on display in the Picked RAW Peeled blog
- Free listing on the SDVAN directory of artists (approximately 1,500 local artists listed)
- Download Application
For more information, please contact Sean Christensen: sean@artwalksandiego.org
Business of Art Scholarship Sponsors
ARTWALK SAN DIEGO
ArtWalk San Diego produces San Diego’s Original Fine Art Festivals that celebrate both visual and performing arts.
SAN DIEGO VISUAL ARTS NETWORK
San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) is a database of information produced to improve the clarity, accuracy and sophistication of discourse about San Diego’s artistic and cultural life and is dedicated to the idea that the Visual arts are a vital part of the health of our city. SDVAN provides a resource-rich website and facilitates countless opportunities for inspiration and collaboration on visual arts projects.