Focus on the Masters and the Ventura County Arts Council are providing scholarship funds and exhibition opportunities to high school seniors who plan to pursue art studies in college.

The Tamima Al-Awar Memorial Scholarship program provides more than $3,400 in scholarships and the opportunity for all students applying for the scholarships to exhibit their work at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura.

The scholarship fund was established by art patron Paula Spellman to honor Tamima Michele Al- Alwar, daughter of Khaled and Sheryl Al-Awar of Ojai. Before her death in 2002, Tamima planned to pursue a degree in fine art

The competition is open to high school seniors who reside in Ventura County and who show a commitment to continued study in the visual arts.

Recipients for these scholarships are chosen by a panel of jurors from the art community. Selection criteria is based on artistic merit and visual arts academic commitment as demonstrated by the student’s application, portfolio and essay submitted.

Submissions must be signed by a faculty member of the student’s high school and a parent.

There is no limit to the number of applications per school.

All applications must be received by the Ventura County Arts Council by 4 p.m. Fri., Feb. 17. Incomplete or late submittals will not be reviewed.

All students applying for the scholarship will be invited to exhibit their work in Expressions of Our Youth, a group exhibition at the Ventura County Government Center shown from March 8 through April 10.

The scholarships will be presented at the opening reception and awards ceremony from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 17.

The jury panel is comprised of Susan Gerrard, director of marketing for the Museum of Ventura County; Scott Miles, professor of photography at Brooks Institute; Richard Franklin, Focus on the Masters board member; Barbara Hirsch, Ventura County Arts Council board member; and Sheryl Al-Awar, gallery owner.

Applications are available at the Ventura County Arts Council’s office, 646 County Square Drive, Ventura.

Applications can be downloaded from www.FocusOnThe- Masters.com or www.Ventura- CountyArtsCouncil.org.