Current MIller Arts Scholars Award Recipients

Class of 2026

Lucas Piette, Studio Art

Rising 4th Year Award

Documenting the Legacy and Revival of the Washington Society
I am requesting $3,000 from to purchase my own on-the-go filmmaking kit and to aid in travel costs in order to create a historical documentary of the Washington Literary Society and Debating Union, or more affectionately known as “the Wash”.

Faculty Mentor: Kevin Everson
Department: Studio Art

Lucas Piette, Studio Art

Rising 3rd Year Award

Shooting Analog: 16mm and 8mm Motion Picture Film
I am requesting a total of $3,000 to be used for the purchase of both a 16mm and 8mm (Super 8) film camera to use as I progress through the cinematography concentration of my studio art major at UVA.

Faculty Mentor: Kevin Everson
Department: Studio Art

Reese Robers, Studio Art

Rising 3rd Year Award

UVA Community Zine Series and Public Video-Zine Screening
I am requesting funds to create and distribute a series of short zines that will be based on community submissions of all forms of art and later converted into a video zine, where the submissions will be incorporated into a video presentation to be screened at a public community event at which the paper zines will also be distributed. With this funding, I will be able to 1) travel to New York City for two days and attend the East Village Zine Fair, where I can learn about and engage with a well-established zine-making community and further develop my project ideas before bringing them to Grounds, 2) afford the materials to physically produce the paper copies of the zines, and 3) have access to video programs and production equipment that will allow me to create a cohesive, stylized, and high-quality presentation of a video version of that zine, which will be screened at a public event for the contributing artists and community members to enjoy and find pride and appreciation for the culmination of their work.

Faculty Mentor: Mona Kasra
Department: Drama, Studio Art

Reese Robers, Studio Art

Rising 4th Year Award

Producing a Comedy Movie-Musical: The Dancin’ Business
I am requesting $3000 through the 4th-year Miller Arts Awards to fund the production of an original 30-minute comedy movie-musical entitled The Dancin’ Business.

Faculty Mentor: Mona Kasra
Department: Drama