Hollace was pleased to have her work featured at the Lancaster Clay Studio “Under 20” Show held during the month of August, 2013. This studio is Hollace’s “home away from home” where she spends much of her time, and is fortunate to continue to hone her skills under the direction of studio owner and potter, Caroline Henderson.

Hollace spent the week of July 15-19, 2013 studying pottery at the Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill in Cape Cod. In this pristine seaside location, she took a workshop under Adero Willard, who is a studio potter and instructor of ceramics at Holyoke Community College. In this workshop, Hollace was exposed to learning how to create intricate surfaces by combining and layering color and pattern using resists, sgraffito, and mishima. She created several pieces, including the teapot pictured above.

In the fall of 2012, Hollace created the above painting, entitled “Stay Focused,” for the STAYFOCUSED charitable organization. STAY-FOCUSED offers a unique, transformational learning experience to teens and young adults with spinal cord disabilities. Through a SCUBA certification program, participants gain confidence, develop leadership skills, and become more independent. As the “great equalizer,” these young people are on equal turf with their nondisabled peers when in the water diving. STAY-FOCUSED is also committed to supporting medical research that explores the beneficial aspects of diving on persons with mobility challenges.

Hollace was inspired by this program, and created her painting to support this organization, donating 100 prints to be sold by STAY-FOCUSED to further the organization’s important goals.

Hollace is pleased to have accepted the invitation to begin her undergraduate studies in the fall of 2012 at the Pennsylvania State University where she will be enrolled in the Schreyer’s Honor’s College. As a result of her Schreyer’s Scholar status, Hollace was fortunate to be awarded an
academic scholarship applicable to her anticipated four year program. She was additionally awarded the Simeon and Elizabeth Gallu Scholarship, having been selected by the Penn State School of Visual Arts Scholarship Committee on the basis of her art portfolio.

Hollace intends to double major in the disciplines of fine arts (ceramics emphasis) and Communications.

Hollace created a “found object” fashion entirely from Betsey Johnson designer bags. She utilized the bright pink shopping bags, silk black ribbon handles, and floral tissue paper to construct her dress. The skirt was woven on a loom, after hand shredding the bags. This creation took over 100 hours to complete!

When Betsey Johnson herself viewed photos of Hollace’s dress, she posted pictures on her website, referencing Hollace as a “true blue Betsey Gal.” In a matter of hours, viewers around the world had posted comments about Hollace’s creation.

Hollace’s wood-fired carved bottle set with accompanying carved wooden base was accepted into the juried National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) exhibition held in Seattle, Washington in March, 2012.

At the exhibition, Hollace’s work won multiple national awards including a Merit award, the Curator’s Choice Award, and the Emily C. Specchio Foundation Scholarship Award.

In 2012, Hollace was honored to be awarded the national Emily C. Speechio Foundation $1000 scholarship award on the basis of her philanthropic work in the arts, and to recognize outstanding artistic talent and potential.

Emily C. Specchio was a young woman born in 1984, who graduated from Virginia Tech on May 13, 2006. Just two days later, unexpectedly and tragically, Emily died from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Emily’s parents created a foundation in her honor to recognize young people who embody Emily’s zest for life, and her dedication to serving others.

Hollace was especially humbled by this recognition.

YoungArts is the core program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. Out of more than 5,000 applicants across the country in 2012, merit awards were bestowed on 597 high school juniors and seniors. As an award winner, Hollace placed in the top 5% of the applicant pool on the basis of submission of her ceramic portfolio.

In the spring of 2012, Hollace was honored to be chosen as the Red Raven Art Company Scholarship winner on the basis of best senior portfolio submitted at the Lancaster County Young Arts Competition. She was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship, as well as a showing of her work in June, 2012.

Hollace was thrilled to win 21 awards at the 2012 Lancaster Young Arts Competition for her work submitted in ceramics, drawing, sculpture, and design. She was awarded 9 gold medals, 4 silver medals, 3 exhibition awards, an Excellence Award, the Most in Show Award, the Lancaster Craft Best Body of Work Award, and the Red Raven Senior Portfolio Scholarship Award.