California College of the Arts announces the 2024 recipients of the Michael and Jeannette Lopez Endowed Scholarship
For the second consecutive year, seniors in Fine Arts programs at CCA will receive funds to support the final year of tuition
San Francisco, CA—September 24, 2024— California College of the Arts is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of a new high-impact, full-tuition scholarship for graduating seniors finishing their degrees in Fine Arts programs at CCA. The $2 million endowed scholarship was created in 2023.
Five students within the division have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Michael and Jeannette Lopez Endowed Scholarship based on artistic merit, as determined by California College of the Arts faculty. The recipients include Michaela Sampas (Painting and Drawing), Weiyi Zhang (Jewelry and Metal Arts), Paolo Pasqual-Mitchell (Game Arts), Lewi Thute (Animation), and Isabella Mendias (Painting and Drawing). The scholarship funds tuition and required fees for each student’s senior year, for a maximum of two semesters.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Fine Arts students at CCA,” said Sunny Smith, Dean of Fine Arts. “The recipients of this scholarship will be supported as they conclude their journey here and prepare to launch their creative careers. We are so appreciative of Michael and Jeanette Lopez for their generosity and support of arts and arts education in San Francisco.”
Student submissions were identified through the Fine Arts Junior Review, a review required for all juniors majoring in Fine Arts studio programs. The Junior Review is an opportunity for students to evaluate their artistic and educational development, in which students meet with a small interdisciplinary group of CCA professors to review their work. As part of this process, faculty recommend students for All College Honors. Those recommended for the All College Honors were eligible for the scholarship.
This year’s jury included Assistant Professor Lydia Greer, Assistant Professor Heesoo Kwon, Associate Professor Karla Wozniak, and Sunny A. Smith, Professor and Dean of Fine Arts. Eligible students were identified through the Fine Arts Junior Review and All College Honors nomination process. Each scholarship winner showcased a strong body of work, unique points of view, and creative approaches to their respective areas of study. The faculty jurors will review and select the next recipients of the scholarship as part of the $2 million gift in Spring 2025.
About Jeanette and Michael Lopez
Michael Lopez is a 1963 alumnus of California College of Arts in Sculpture and received his MFA in Painting in 1970. He taught Ceramics and Ceramics Sculpture at CCA from 1964–1969, and later taught Ceramics at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. He was an exhibiting artist, primarily known for non-functional ceramics that combine wheel thrown and hand building.
About California College of the Arts
Founded in 1907, California College of the Arts (CCA) educates students to shape culture and society through art, architecture, design, and writing. The college offers a rich curriculum of 22 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs taught by a faculty of expert practitioners. Located in the vibrant San Francisco Bay Area, CCA uniquely prepares students for lifelong creative work by fostering social and environmental responsibility, innovation, and community engagement. Graduates are highly sought-after by companies such as Pixar, Apple, IDEO, and Google, and many go on to launch their own successful businesses.
CCA’s newly expanded campus adds 82,300 square feet of space to teach, make, and present art in a continuous indoor-outdoor environment. Designed by world-renowned architecture firm Studio Gang, the new addition, completed this fall 2024, brings together 30 academic programs and disciplines, student housing and dining, and interdisciplinary learning. For more information, visit cca.edu.