"Live Your Creative Passion" Scholorship Competition

THE ART INSTITUTE ONLINE, A DIVISION OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH, IS CALLING FOR ENTRIES, FOR ITS “LIVE YOUR CREATIVE PASSION” SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

HGTV Designer and Celebrity Host Paige Rien and a Distinguished Panel will Judge the Competition

PITTSBURGH, PA— The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, is calling for entries for its “Live Your Creative Passion” scholarship competition at http://scholarship.aionline.edu. Two scholarships, each in the amount of ten thousand dollars, will be awarded: one will be presented to a student currently enrolled at The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and one will be awarded to a prospective student selected from the public at large.

The competition, which begins April 18, 2007, is designed to encourage individuals to become excited about reaching their full creative potential through art.

During the first round of judging, the public will get the opportunity to vote on the artwork, and select the finalists. This is like an American Idol style art competition that gives the public an opportunity to play an important role in voting for their favorite submission. The top 10 percent of the most popular submissions will later be reviewed by a celebrity and professional judging panel.

“We are excited to have a distinguished panel of judges who will select the scholarship recipients,” says George Pry, President of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. “The Live Your Creative Passion Scholarship Competition is a great opportunity for potential students to discover more about the online programs offered at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.”

HGTV television Host and Designer, Paige Rien, who is also a student at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, will be joining Pry as a judge.  When Paige isn’t on the set of the popular television show, “Hidden Potential,” she makes space in her busy schedule to take Interior Design courses with The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. While Paige says she enjoys showcasing her creative side on the show, this is one competition, she says, she is looking forward to judging.  “I can’t wait to review the art submissions, to see how others present their artwork.  As a creative artist myself, I can appreciate when talented people get a chance to tap into their artistic side, and subsequently, share their work with the world. I am honored that The Art Institute of Pittsburgh has asked me to be a part of this amazing experience that encourages creativity.”

The distinguished panel of judges will also include:

Richard Rouse III, Director of Game Design - Midway Games; Richard is a game designer and writer who has worked in computer and video game development for more than a decade. Currently he is Director of Game Design at Midway Games, where he consults on a wide range of next-generation titles.  Most recently, he was Creative Director and Writer on the hit action/horror title The Suffering and its sequel, The Suffering: Ties That Bind.

DJ Cassell, Creative Director - Rapid Reality Studios; DJ has been delighting video game audience’s world wide for more than 10 years. His gaming credits include “Rugrats: Search for Reptar,” “Die Hard Trilogy 2: Viva Las Vegas,” “Rugrats: Studio Tour,” “Duke Nukem: Land of the Babes,” “Danger Girl,” “Postal 2,” and “Medal of Honor: Allied Assault – Breakthrough.”

Tracy Spaight, Chief Operating Officer - Rapid Reality Studios; Tracy has been an avid observer of and participant in online games for more than a decade.  Tracy has given talks on life on the cyber frontier at the 2003 and 2005 State of Play conference at New York Law School, as well as the Integrated Media Association conference in 2006.

Mark Stutzman, Illustrator & Designer - Eloqui; Mark is best known for his rendition of the young, Elvis Presley Stamp. Mark’s illustrations have adorned billboards, to-go cups, poster, magazines and more. His work includes advertising such as the “Annie Get Your Gun” and David Blaine’s promotional posters and movie products and premiums for Batman, Jurassic Park and Space Jam. His most recent work includes covers for Stephen King novels that reached the number one best seller lists. Mark’s career as an illustrator began after graduating from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Laura Stutzman, Illustrator & Designer - Eloqui; Laura has worked with a variety of clients including PBS, MCI, CBS, Simon & Schuster, National Geographic, Time/Life Books and the US Mint. Most recently Laura Stutzman has entered the childrens’ book market with “B is for Blue Crab,” an alphabet book of Maryland. She is a graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Organizers of the scholarship competition hope imaginative people interested in a career in the creative arts will discover their full potential.

There are specific rules and regulations for all submissions, including, entries must be original work only and there can be one entry per person. The scholarship recipient must also be able to begin class in an online program at The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh within 6 months from June 22, 2007, the date the scholarship must be accepted.

After contestants enter the scholarship competition, they will receive a link to their scholarship submission where all of their supporters, family and friends can vote for their entry. The deadline for submission is May 11, 2007; individuals interested can find more details and can submit their entry at http://scholarship.aionline.edu or mail entries to The Art Institute Online, 1400 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-4332.

About The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh

The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, delivers education in the creative arts through the Internet, extending the opportunity for learning to all students desiring classes by eliminating geographic, lifestyle, or physical constraints. Programs available fully online through The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, include associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs in Graphic Design and Interactive Media Design; bachelor’s degree programs in Advertising, Fashion & Retail Management, Game Art & Design, Hotel & Restaurant Management, Interior Design, and Media Arts & Animation; a bachelor’s degree completion program in Culinary Management; and diploma programs in Digital Design, Residential Planning, and Web Design. For more information call 1-877-872-8869 or visit http://www.aionline.edu.