Metzger Fine Arts Scholarship goes to Makayla Magdaleno

There were some challenging times in her early life, but through the ups and downs Makayla Magdaleno found art to be great company. Today her artwork is central to her goals and future plans.

The 2018 San Benito High School graduate was recently announced as winner of the Martha Metzger Fine Arts Scholarship. The Metzger Scholarship is dedicated to the memory of Martha Metzger, a Hollister resident and accomplished professional singer. The annual scholarship goes to talented students to help them continue to pursue their ambitions in the arts.

Magdaleno said that as a young girl, she spent hours on the road between one parent in Salinas and the other in Hollister. She would draw to keep from getting bored and lonely. Over the years, she filled sketchbook after sketchbook, and with those hours of concentration her skills increased.

“My life goal with art is to be able to create and share with the world,” Magdaleno wrote in her scholarship application. She intends to first earn her AA at Gavilan College and then  complete her education at a four-year university. She plans to major in studio arts and visual development. 

With a soft pastel drawing of an owl, titled “Red Sova,” Magdaleno said she chose to draw the animal because she found it challenging to do at the time (sophomore year of high school).

“I wanted to challenge myself to do the owl to see if I could accomplish the art piece,” Magdaleno said. “After about 15 hours worth of class I had completed the challenge I set for myself. At the time it was known as my greatest drawing as it did get me first place that year in the congressional art contest for our district. My Red Sova has flown me across the US all the way to Washington D.C. as it’s prize for getting first place. For a whole year Red Sova was hanged in the Cannon Hall which connects the buildings of DC like the nation’s capitol to the many other buildings. After completing the drawing it has motived me to always keep pushing myself to always try to one up myself to become better as an artist.”

Magdaleno’s long-term dream is to see her name up in the credits after a Disney film. She says she grew up loving Disney films and aspires to work in the animation industry.

“Being part of a visual development team of Disney with creating characters and sceneries would be a life achievement accomplished,” Magdaleno wrote.