© Martin Ray | Photo taken in a March workshop at Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico

What we want to do is use our “hearts and hands and tools to fashion something unseen into a new thing in this world.” — Martin Ray

Our scholarship fund is named in honor of my dear friend and student Martin Ray. Today marks the third anniversary of his death. Martin brought brightness into the room, and somehow added space when he walked in. He was a focused and inspiring student to have in class. He worked intensely from morning til night, imbibing the atmosphere of the room and the thin air of the high desert. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, we listened.

Here is a page from a book he created in our class at Ghost Ranch:

© Martin Ray | Handmade book: ink, watercolor, hand-carved rubber stamp, kozo paper, Arches Text Wove and Arches Black Cover

Shortly before the first anniversary of Martin’s death, several students joined together to create a scholarship to make it possible for someone to attend a class who otherwise couldn’t afford to do so.

The generosity of these students inspired the creation of an ongoing scholarship fund in Martin’s honor to reach more students in need of financial assistance.

Since then, many of you have generously contributed to the scholarship fund, enabling us to award scholarships to seven students.

© Martin Ray | Handmade book pages | "Speak Only Love": ink, watercolor, gouache, hand-carved rubber stamp, Arches Text Wove & Arches Black Cover

Our most recent scholarship recipient, Catherine Cooper, attended my class in March of this year.

“The Martin Ray Young-at-Heart Scholarship made it possible for me to attend "Winter Seed's Promise" in Taos, NM,” said Catherine. “The class was a gift—it was time to recenter myself and expand my artistic practice. I learned exercises and skills that I could bring back with me along with a book to work into and continue that exploration.”

Catherine created beautiful work during our class. She was featured on my website in May, and her work is available to view here.

With each scholarship we award, we are keeping Martin’s memory alive and equipping us to, in his words, use our “hearts and hands and tools to fashion something unseen into a new thing in this world.”

© Martin Ray | Handmade book and case | Workshop in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

Our goal is to award three scholarships per year. Will you join us today in making this happen?

A contribution in any amount, no matter how small, helps a prospective student, and is much appreciated. Contribute here.

Onward and upward,

Laurie