Blog

Recent BFA in Visual Arts Grad, Robert De Leon, Receives Presidential Fellowship Award to Attend University of South Carolina

Roberto De Leon, recent graduate of the Bachelor in Fine Arts in Visual Arts program (Winter 2017), was accepted by and will be attending the University of South Carolina where he received the Presidential Fellowship award, one of the most prestigious university-wide award for promise of excellence at the graduate level. The merit-based program awards Fellows a supplemental stipend totaling $32,000 for doctoral students and $20,000 for MFA students.

De Leon’s work, which highlights his talent in ceramics, focuses on bringing awareness to endangered species, animal cruelty and the living conditions of wild animals due to our toxic environment. De Leon showcases the beauty while highlighting the cruelty that animals are often exposed to through his artwork, often with a humoristic undertone. His approach to his work is very purposeful as it relates to the textures and colors chosen which provide continued commentary and meaning to the overall message of the piece. 

Born in Cuba, but raised in Miami, FL from the age of nine, Robert’s inspiration is derived from his experiences as well as from current events involving animals and the environment.