First Award William Ferguson

Studio Antics © William Ferguson The Woodlands, Texas First Award $5,000 Age 19

Studio Antics, mixed media (22" x 16") "Using art to communicate, I concentrate on observation and having fun, not rigid rules and logic. With art I am free to express myself through it using the world around me as my guide. It is also forgiving and mistakes can always be corrected." William Ferguson, who has Asperger's syndrome and attention deficit disorder, was placed in a self-contained special education classroom where his teacher encouraged him to draw to assist in learning academics. He continued art classes throughout grade and middle schools, exploring a variety of techniques and media. Fascinated by cartoons, William often created his own characters and situations. He applied this interest by joining the staff of the school newspaper as a political cartoonist. "Through education and my gift of art, I have found the freedom to express myself without limitations." William will be a freshman this fall at the Ringling School of Art and Design, Sarasota, Florida where he will pursue a BFA in illustration.