Pen Women uplift new cohort of artists

Drawing upon their own unique senses of identity, the scholarship winners of this year's "Launching Leaders in the Arts" awards delighted attendees with snippets of their works. 

Writers read their works aloud, while artists held their canvases high to point out the standout elements. What truly stunned the audience this year was the music category. Organizers saved the first-place winning piece by Tristan Tran for a grand finale, "Vals Furiosa."

His composition combines the gravity of a chamber orchestra with contemporary drums and other signature elements. Tran said he draws inspiration from Frédéric Chopin and fellow classical composers.

"For something that I created at home, I didn't expect it to get me to this level of recognition," he said. "I'm just really glad my music is able to connect with people."

The local branch of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc., which maintains a strong Longboat Key membership, hosted the awards ceremony on April 9 at the Prestancia Country Club.

According to President Wilma Davidson, this year's submissions impressed the judges.  

"It makes me feel so good about the next generation of creatives," she said. "I appreciate their reflectiveness and caring."

Jacob Gardner won first place in the writing division, receiving the Otto Group at Hightower Advisors Award of Excellence in Letters, for his short story called "Tiny Faceless Gods." 

Diver Jane-Ternay took first in the arts category for her painting titled "Inspired."

She drew upon memories of her upbringing on the road with her family band for her latest works, in which she has started incorporating color. She plans to pursue a career in entertainment, potentially as a music promoter.

The scholarship program recently shifted from a sole legacy source to public funding coordinated by the Pen Women, and Davidson said seeing such talent arise from within the community makes the fundraising work mightily worthwhile.

For more information about the program, visit SarasotaPenWomen.org/awards-program.