"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. My name is Gale Brunault and this is my husband Brian Brunault. We are here to present the first Michael Colby Art Scholarship Award. This award was established in 2014 in memory of my son, Michael James Colby, a 2001 graduate of the Newburyport High School. Long before attending college Michael demonstrated talent well beyond his years. From his infinite love of music, drawings, photography and Entrepreneurship, Michael did it all with boundless ease. In 2008 he graduated from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida with a degree in Digital Arts and Design. Michael excelled in his field. Not only did he receive the school's Advanced Achievement Award, but his unique design and animated ad for Nike won him one of the world's largest advertising competition, known as the ADDY award. Once out of college he soon began working with a Boston based advertising company who quickly recognized Michael's exceptional talent. His work and achievements are global in scale. Most recognizable is his work as lead animator and designer on video, broadcast and motion and branding products for clients that included: HBO, Disney, The History Channel, HGTV, Discovery, 20/20 and MTV. Michael's last project was in pre-production on a documentary about Mohammed Ali for PBS.

 

Aside from being creative, Michael was witty, kind, sensitive and a caring person to all who knew him. The Michael Colby Art Scholarship was erected to assist and inspire future visionaries whose talents and accomplishments reflect Michael's spirit. Through this scholarship, Michael's family, friends and the scholarship committee are comforted in knowing that his legacy and contribution to the art world will be forever remembered.

 

My goal in choosing the right recipient of the Michael Colby Art Scholarship was to find that individual who most paralleled themselves to Michael's passion, philosphy and love of the arts.

 

This year's recipient far surpassed the criteria set forth by the scholarship committee and like Michael he isn't restricted to one singular artistic medium. He is able to communicate through music, visual arts, entrepreneurship, graphic design and oustanding artwork using various mediums and textures. From initiating projects that greatly benefited the arts in our community, this year's recipient also expanded his vision and reached out to those less fortunate by showcasing artwork from Guatemalan Elementary school children through a project called "The Guatemalan Experience"

 

Not only is his talent limitless but he reveals the kind of spirit akin to Michaels and that is his kindness and to the dedication to the welfare of other artists. In his own words he states, "My goal in life, professionally, is to give to people the confidence to appreciate their own artistic talent and actualize a world that greatly respects the arts and it's benefits to our lives." This individual is not only a gifted artist with a bright future, but he clearly embraces and promotes the artistic vision of others.

 

It is my honor to introduce Jacob Fisher as the first recipient of the Michael Colby Art Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00.