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SANDPIPER ART GALLERY & GIFTS
2026 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts takes great pleasure in announcing that $5000 worth of scholarship money has been awarded to seven deserving students. Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been a mainstay in the Polson, MT community for over 50 years. Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts places emphasis in making art available to people and to promote art as a career. Every year the Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts has local art festival events in Polson to raise funds to award scholarships. This year the Flathead Lake Festival of Art is scheduled for July 18-19, 2026; the Courthouse Art Festival will be held on August 8, 2026.
Dine' Warriors-Pistolbullet
Dine' Warriors-Pistolbullett is a dual major. She is working on her AA degrees in both Tribal Historic Preservation and in Fine Arts at Salish Kootenai College. Her goal is to pursue a career as an educator in the cultural arts, or work as a Museum Technician. Dine's work includes quillwork, beading, weaving, dance outfit construction, drawing, painting, mixed media and digital design. Dine's artwork was featured twice in the February 2026 issue of the Tribal College Journal, she completed an internship at Ninepipes Museum in Charlo, MT, and was an intern for two quarters with the Salish Kootenai College Art Department.
Mia Armijo
Mia Armijo is attending the Fine Arts Program at Salish Kootenai College and will be graduating in 2027. Mia has had a small business in creating and selling handmade jewelry, and paints custom banners for birthdays and special events. In addition, she helps with logo designs and murals. Mia won first place with a piece of artwork at the most recent meeting of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium in North Dakota this year.
Vivika Rae Finley
Vivika Rae Finley will graduate in 2026 with her AA degree from the Fine Arts Program at Salish Kootenai College. Her work focuses primarily on nature photography. Vivika has experimented with portraiture, but growing up in Perma, MT, she was constantly surrounded by inspiring landscapes. Vivika would like to work for a publication like National Geographic to combine her love of photography and nature on a professional level.
Keithetta Quequesah
Keithetta Quequesah is a Digital Design Major at Salish Kootenai College. Keithetta's objective is to develop a strong foundation in visual communication by combining traditional craftsmanship with modern digital tools. She uses her skills in beadwork, sewing, and photography to advance towards her goal of becoming a fashion related designer, merging her background in tactile arts with digital platforms.
Seattle Adams
Seattle Adams is a first year student in the Associate of Arts degree Fine Arts Program at Salish Kootenai College. Seattle has gained experience in acrylic, watercolor, goache, markers, sculpture, and oil pastels as well as digital arts. Seattle would like to continue her art education and is currently exploring where to pursue her Master's degree in Fine Arts.
Tina Maughan
Tina Maughan is enrolled in the Salish Kootenai College Tribal Historic Preservation Bachelor of Arts degree program and will graduate June 2026. Tina has applied to Masters/PhD programs with emphasis on artifact preservation and reconstruction. Tina attended the Fashion Design Program at Brooks College in California and has sold jewelry in Bigfork, MT at "Creative and Native".
Darris Lopez
Daris Lopez is a first year student in both the Digital Design and Fine Arts Programs at Salish Kootenai College. Daris creates high precision graphics using quality software applications. His interest lies in web design; creating visuals, concepts and graphics. Daris is learning more about design in order to make interactive web sites for individuals and companies.
Dine' Warriors-Pistolbullet
Seattle Adams
PURPOSE OF OUR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts supports and encourages aspiring artists in Lake and Sanders Counties through scholarships, mentorship, and educational opportunities.
Each year, scholarships are awarded to deserving students pursuing studies in the fine arts. Award amounts may vary.
Eligible fields of study include painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, jewelry, photography, film, fiber arts, and graphic arts. Related careers such as art education, art history, restoration, medical illustration, digital art, art authentication, archaeology, and museum curatorship are also considered.
REQUIREMENTS
[Application Information & Guidelines – Download PDF]
Applicants must reside in Lake or Sanders County and meet one of the following qualifications:
• Be a high school senior accepted into a college, university, or specialized arts program.
• Be enrolled in an institution of higher learning, generally as a full-time student. Special attendance
circumstances may be considered.
Applicants must submit a completed Scholarship Application Form, including a statement of interest, portfolio, and transcript.
APPLICATION & SELECTION
Application Deadline: March 31 each year
[Scholarship Application Form - Download PDF]
The Scholarship Committee reviews applications, schedules interviews, and recommends recipients and award amounts to the Board of Directors.
Applicants must complete all application requirements unless an exception is approved by the Board. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient's school.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
Recipients may also enjoy:
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A complimentary Gallery Student Membership for the scholarship year.
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Space to display artwork during Gallery art shows.
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Opportunities to sell artwork at the Gallery's summer festival booths, including the Flathead Lake Festival of Art and Courthouse Art Festival.
For information about art shows, exhibitions, workshops, and memberships, visit SandpiperArtGalleryandGifts.com.