SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS:

In the 2010 business year of the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths, we have distributed or have earmarked over $5000 in student scholarships and gifting to local universities with metals programs. This year one student from Maryville University in St. Louis Missouri and one student from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville Illinois will each receive a $1000 scholarship award honoring the memory of Heikki Seppa, a founding member of our organization, and a friend and mentor to many of our members.

SMM has also have provided scholarships to two teens selected from the under-served within our community to attend metal related workshops at Craft Alliance located in University City Missouri. Funds have been allocated to two additional teens to attend Craft Alliance workshops before the end of our fiscal year. The remainder of the above mentioned funds will be gifted to the Metals Programs of our two host Universities in the form of much needed tools and equipment for metals students in-house use.

In addition to the above mentioned funds, with every workshop we present, we give scholarships to two students from the University that is allowing us the use of their facility to host the workshop, a minimum of 12 per year have the opportunity to attend our workshops at no cost other than a kit fee for the workshop attended.

Much of the funding for these gifts and scholarships are generated by members, members families and friends making their Amazon.com purchases by accessing the Amazon.com web site through the small ad at the bottom of www.midwest-metalsmiths.org. Amazon is very generous to not-for-profits by giving back a small percentage of each purchase to SMM at no additional cost to the purchaser. We wish to thank all of our membership and friends for their support and we at SMM plan to continue promoting the fine art of metalsmithing in every way possible in the coming years.

METAL Inclinations has awarded two scholarships to deserving students though "Youth in Need" program this year. The scholarships are for the students to take metalsmithing classes at Craft Alliance in St. Louis, Missouri.

Alexis and Jamilah were enrolled in the "Found Object Jewelry" class for the summer camp session at Craft Alliance in St. Louis, which was taught by Kevin Lin. The girls had quite a good time transforming their found objects into wearable art.

Youth In Need is a proud member of the United Way. Every year, Youth In Need serves more than 10,000 children, teens and families-just a part of the one million lives United Way
touches annually.