A trio of young artists have been given a total of $25,000 in scholarships to help them complete their studies abroad.

Mackenzie Costa and Photini-Dawn Ingham won $10,000 each and Sabriyya Harvey was awarded $5,000 from the Bermuda Arts Council grants scheme.

Ms Costa, 19, will enter her second year at the California Institute of the Arts in the United States for a degree in graphic design with a minor in digital arts.

She praised her course, which accepts a maximum of 15 students a year, for development of her interest in artists such as Edward Fella, well known for his unique approach to typography.

She added: “By studying abroad, I am networking and getting out of my comfort zone.

“I trust that this is a way that I will excel and produce my best work for Bermuda.”

Ms Costa said: “This opportunity has allowed me to grow and obtaining a scholarship from the Bermuda Arts Council will significantly help me be able to stay and learn from such remarkable faculty.”

Ms Ingham, 24, will start her third year at Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, for photography studies with a focus on video production.

She said: “I am looking forward to continuing my schooling and gaining as much knowledge as I can.

“This grant is a great blessing — it gives me a chance to complete my schooling and to pursue my passion with a career in the arts.”

Ms Harvey, 21, will enter her final year at Mount Allison University and hopes to complete her fine arts degree in painting and sculpture.

She said that her work focused on Bermudian history and her own sense of identity.

Ms Harvey added that she hoped to study education after her degree and return to the island to teach painting and sculpture.

She said: “Receiving this award will immensely help in my studies as it means that I can return to school during these uncertain times.

“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity and am looking forward to a year of hard work.”

The Bermuda Arts Council was created to teach others, particularly young people, about the value of the arts and its contribution to Bermuda.

Jennifer Phillips, the chairwoman of the BAC, said: “This year, the three successful applicants are all students of the visual arts.

“Each of them presented strong applications and high-quality portfolios of their work. We are delighted to assist them on their educational path and look forward to their artistic contributions in the future.”

She added: “As part of our mission to develop and improve the knowledge, understanding and practice of the arts, the Bermuda Arts Council recognises the importance of supporting the next generation of local artists.”

The students were congratulated at a ceremony at the Ministry of Community Affairs on Court Street, Hamilton, last week.

Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Community Affairs and Sport, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be able to continue supporting our young Bermudian artists and creatives in this way.

“The BAC grants provide invaluable financial assistance to our young people and we see this as vital for the enhancement and strengthening of the arts and culture in our community.”

“On this occasion, the ministry is pleased to do what it can to support artistic excellence and creativity.”