The Fort Deposit Arts Council is giving away $3,000 in scholarships to two high school seniors, after raising the funds through its annual Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair in April. 

The council’s leadership scholarship is awarded to two high school students who live in Fort Deposit and intend to pursue a college education. This year, two seniors selected for the awards: Avery Taylor from Fort Dale Academy and Madison Hardy from The Calhoun School.

“The Arts Council likes to give back to the community, and this is one way that we can help children that want to go to college,” said Pam Barganier, the secretary, committee and scholarship chairman for the Fort Deposit Arts Council. “It’s a little extra money towards books or whatever they can use it for.”

With the scholarship, recipients are awarded $1,500 for their freshman year at their college or university. The money is divided per semester, awarding $750 for fall and spring. 

“[The scholarship] does help, and it helps in acknowledging outstanding students for their achievements,” said Frieda Cross, a chairman for the Fort Deposit Arts Council. 

In order to apply, applicants had to submit recommendations from their high school principal and three personal references, among other documentation. 

“They had excellent recommendations,” Barganier said. “They were leaders in their school, in their classes [and] in community involvement; so they both are well deserving.”

The funding for this scholarship was collected from the proceeds of the 2024 fair. 

The Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair, organized by The Fort Deposit Arts Council, is one of the oldest arts and crafts fairs in the South. During the fair, vendors sell handmade items and activities are available for participants.

In addition to the scholarships, the Calico Fort Arts and Crafts Fair also funds the Fort Deposit Arts Council’s other community endeavors, and provides opportunities for other organizations in the community to fund their endeavors. 

“We try to keep the food booths for local organizations, so they can benefit from our fair,” Barganier said.  “The fire department and the Life Church homeschool group, that’s a fundraiser for them. And, as well as the Arts Council, we do have a food booth and [so does] the Baptist church youth group. 

The next Calico Fort Arts and Crafts fair is scheduled for April 12 – 13, 2025.