Women in Animation (WIA) has awarded the 2016 Phyllis Craig Scholarship to CalArts student Tracey LaGuerre. The scholarship is awarded annually to “one deserving animation student who demonstrates artistic talent, a passion for animation, and promise for the future.”
LaGuerre is currently a CalArts Character Animation sophomore, and stood out to the scholarship committee for her passion for storytelling and community service. She attended the most recent Gobelins Summer Animation Residency and uses her YouTube channel to deliver arts education to viewers worldwide.
Strongly influenced by her Haitian heritage and art history, LaGuerre has seen her films screen in several festivals already. films. “My passion as a filmmaker grows every time I create a film. The visual language created with animation shapes lives all around the world and connects to us to our humanity,” she says. Her CalArts faculty mentor notes that her “ideas and intuitions are strong, and her desire to grow them is commendable. Tracey is not afraid of hard work and has a more mature attitude than many student artists.”
The scholarship honors Phyllis Craig, a founding member of WIA known for her commitment to helping young animators. Craig spearheaded an internship program for many years before her death in 1997, when WIA created the scholarship fund.
“Phyllis was an inspiration to so many, and helping support women like Tracey LaGuerre is exactly what her legacy strives to do,” says WIA Head of Scholarship Committee Barb Cimity.
“I appreciate the opportunities Women in Animation is giving to young ambitious creators like myself, to influence the industry and increase diversity. I am honored to be the recipient of this year’s Phyllis Craig Scholarship and to represent the future of this organization,” says LaGuerre.
