Perpich News
Julia Pauly (Visual Arts 2025) Receives Gary Fink Scholarship
February 21, 2025
Julia Pauly (Visual Arts 2025) has received the Gary Fink Scholarship valued at $20,000! This honor is awarded to a senior visual arts student at Perpich Arts High School to attend a post secondary college with the intent of majoring in the arts. This scholarship is based on need and merit.
Julia Pauly (Visual Arts 2025) has received the Gary Fink Scholarship valued at $20,000.
“I am so incredibly grateful for this scholarship and the opportunities it will provide for me,” said Julia, who goes by JP. “It is the reason I will be able to attend college, and I’m so excited to make the most of it.”
JP is currently working on her senior capstone project titled “Earth’s Revolt”. “It is a three-panel series of paintings, each panel being 12 feet tall,” said JP. “There are also multimedia elements, which I’ve always been a big fan of and appears in most of my work. I am also currently very interested in mural work and would love to make more in the future.” The Senior Capstone Exhibition will open on March 6, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
JP plans to use this award to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead where she will double major in Business and Illustration.
This is the second year that the scholarship has been offered to Perpich students. “Megan Rye (Visual Arts 1994), a former Perpich student, reached out to me to begin a conversation about connecting Perpich with the Fink Family Foundation,” said Rebecca Bullen, Arts High School Principal. “This connection, partnered with the Fink family’s dedication to supporting arts education and young talent, led to the creation of this amazing scholarship. JP’s focus and portfolio made her the ideal recipient, and the impact of this support will be life changing. I am deeply grateful for Megan’s outreach and the Fink family’s commitment to fostering artistic growth.”
All interested applicants completed an application and presented to a review panel with Arts High School staff with the final decision made by the Gary Fink family. In the feedback provided about JP’s work, the comments included “Ambitious! Student pushes beyond the expectations of what’s expected,” and “There’s an overall determination that comes through in the work, the essay, and the resume.”
Julia Pauly (third from left) poses with faculty after learning that she is the 2025 Gary Fink Scholarship recipient. JP is pictured with, left to right: Arts High School Principal Rebecca Bullen, and Visual Arts Instructors Jeremy Lundquist, Kate Vinson, Kathryn D’Elia, Lindsey Schmitt, and Cameron Browne.
“JP is a very worthy winner of this scholarship. She is a student with big ideas, big ambitions for projects, but with a practical mindset,” said Kathryn D’Elia, Studio Arts Chair and Visual Arts Instructor. “JP has been working out which college to attend, which schools offer the best financial aid, which have the programs that will most benefit her plans. She labored over her essay for the Gary Fink Scholarship, restructuring it to get her point across, asked for feedback when needed, and worked to ensure the quality of her artwork photos. I’m excited to see what JP will get up to in the future and am so glad that the Gary Fink Foundation will be able to lend the support needed to aid in JP’s success.”
“Bravo! It is amazing to see JP receive the Gary Fink Scholarship,” said Lindsey Schmitt, Visual Arts Instructor. “We have seen JP’s dedication to exploring new techniques, materials, concepts, and collaborations; all with the authentic curiosity and drive of a genuine artist. JP is ready for her next chapter after Perpich. This scholarship will forever change her trajectory by making higher education accessible. I can’t wait to see what unfolds in this artist’s future. Congrats!”
“On behalf of the entire Residential Life Staff, I want to express how thrilled we are for JP and how incredibly proud we are of her accomplishments,” said Gabe Flynn, Resident Dorm Director. “JP is a talented and dedicated artist, and we eagerly look forward to the rest of the year with her as an invaluable member of our community.”
Julia Pauly is from Norwood Young America, MN and is the child of Carrie and Brian Pauly. She previously attended Central High School in Norwood Young America, MN.
Mr. Gary Fink
Gary Fink was a retired Insurance Executive and Prudential Insurance’s all-time leading sales agent. He also founded a very successful consulting firm. Fink sold his consulting firm in 2004 and focused his energy on his true passions: philanthropy and art. Gary long recognized the importance and impact that art has on society and its ability to stretch our recognition beyond the here and now and into the realm of creative expression.
Over the years, Gary mentored and supported many up-and-coming artists. He passed away in 2022 and, according to his family, he would have wanted to support and inspire the next generation of artists. They shared that he would have believed in the mission of Perpich Center for Arts Education.