April 13, 2023
Syeda Hussain, a graphic design student in the Department of Art and Art History at Oakland University, has been selected as a recipient of the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors (DSWPS) 2023 Scholarship.
The scholarship is awarded annually to women majoring in art at an accredited college or university throughout the Metro Detroit area. Hussain is one of two students selected in the tri-county area for the award.
“Syeda’s intricate drawings, purposeful statement, and amazing record of scholarship propelled her to the top of an impressive field of candidates,” said Theresa Moore, scholarship chairperson for DSWPS. “As we celebrate our 120th year, the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors is gratified to witness the emergence of so many talented young women such as Syeda, who will certainly ensure the future of our Society.”
In recognition of her achievement, Hussain will receive a $1,000 award, will be invited to a DSWPS meeting for a formal presentation and to share her art, and will also be featured at a future DSWPS show.
“This scholarship means a lot to me because it is the first award/achievement I have received related to art,” Hussain said. “My passion for art is driven by the idea of breaking stereotypes, being a first-generation Bengali-American to attend college in a primarily white-dominated field, this award really reassured me that I have a place in this field. I am extremely grateful to have been honored academically in the past, but being noticed for my creative endeavors is highly motivating and pushes me to continue my art/design education.”
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| Syeda Hussain's "Continuous" |
Founded in 1903, the The Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors is one of the oldest self-sustaining women’s art organizations in the United States. One of Hussain’s works, “Continuous,” is currently featured on organization’s website.
“’Continuous’ is a piece honoring my cultural background and the affection and nurture that has been transmitted over generations,” she said. “My artwork frequently reflects my cultural roots. In South Asian culture, family ties are deeply ingrained. Regardless of one’s position in the family lineage or biological relationship, all individuals are regarded as family and treated and cared for as such.”
Hussain was nominated for the DSWPS Scholarship by Meaghan Barry, associate professor of graphic design and chair of the Department of Art and Art History, who described Hussain as a “thoughtful, mature, and talented student.”
“Beyond investing in her because she’s successful academically, it is especially important to support minority students like Syeda,” Barry said. “As a South Asian woman, Syeda is paving the way forward in the design discipline where, according to recent data, around 75% of graphic designers are white in the United States.
“Syeda’s desire to continue her education beyond a Bachelor of Arts degree speaks to her initiative and passion for design and the arts,” she added. “I believe she will use the DSWPS Scholarship to propel her studies and career further to achieve these types of goals.”
For more information about the Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, visit www.dswps.org.