The Mariposa County Arts Council is proud to announce that Darya Babintseva has been selected as the recipient of their annual 2015 award presented to a graduating high school senior.  Darya is being recognized for her active participation in both choreography and performance with the Dance Club at school rallies and Arts Night, as well as her role as an instructor to younger dance students at a private dance studio.  Ms. Babintseva hopes to obtain a career in the medical field (Nursing or Kinesiology), but also to pursue her passion through a minor study in dance so that she may continue to teach dance classes.

Additionally, the Arts Council is pleased to announce that high school junior Elinor Phillips and Angela Mathews have been accepted to the California State Summer School Program (CSSSA).

The California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) today invites all talented and motivated high school students to apply for admission to the 2015 summer session held from July 11 - August 7, 2015. Applications are found online at: csssa.ca.gov and are due on February 28, 2015.

Held from July 11 through August 7, 2015, CSSSA is the only state-supported arts summer school on the West coast. This creative, cutting-edge, and immersive four-week residential program draws the most talented students to learn from college-level faculty and professional working artists. Students have seven artistic disciplines to choose from, including: Animation, Creative Writing, Dance, Film & Video, Music, Theater and Visual Arts. Ms. Phillips was selected based on her work in the field of Creative Writing and Ms. Mathews was selected based on her work in the field of dance.

CSSSA is held on the campus of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia; approximately 500 students each year attend from around California and the globe. All students are selected by their submission of an application and work sample that is reviewed by a panel of educators and professional artists.

A public reception will be held on Tuesday, June 23^rd from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Mariposa County Arts Council’s Treetop Gallery to recognize the accomplishments of these students. All are invited to attend. The Treetop Gallery is located at 5009 Highway 140, upstairs from Chocolate Soup.

The MARIPOSA COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL, INC. is an incorporated not-for- profit organization, created to promote and support all forms of the cultural arts, for all ages, throughout Mariposa County.