Willo scholarships

Giving Downriver youth access to the arts in memory of
Willodean Elva Wolczynski.

Inspiring downriver youth to persue the arts.

Willodean (Willo) was born on May 16, 1933, and grew up in Detroit. She graduated with an art specialty from Cass Tech High School in 1951. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Wayne State University. When her family moved to Trenton, she began her life enriching career in art and design with JL Hudson in downtown Detroit. There she used her talents to design Christmas catalogs and other advertising. After retiring, she was privileged to travel the world with friends and family. She also devoted her time to the fine arts, both learning and creating. Willodean always used her unique artistic talents to design beautiful and creative art through sketches, drawings, watercolors, Christmas cards, and more. She settled in Trenton, MI and passed away peacefully at 91 years of age on August 30, 2024. Many of Willo’s family and friends are privileged to have “WillOriginal” artwork hanging in their homes. You can see some of Willo’s creations hanging in the permanent collection at the Downriver Council for the Arts. Through a generation donation made in her honor from her estate facilitated by her cousin Kathy (John) Kauth, the DCA is able to offer free and discounted scholarships to classes and workshops for the youth in our Downriver area. Please check back to this page and we will be adding to it more of her art, awards and news!

Grosse Ile Lighthouse. Watercolor Print. Willodean Wolczynski.

individual scholarship for DCA classes and workshops

Guidelines

  • Scholarships are available for youth and teens. Teens can use the scholarship for ‘adult’ classes. Minimum age is specific to each class or workshop and is indicated in the class description.

  • Families can apply for multiple members.

  • Scholarship award amounts may vary. The DCA has a limited number of scholarships available. Eligibility does not guarantee a scholarship will be awarded.

  • Priority is given to students with families who experience the greatest financial need.

  • Most of our classes and workshops provide materials. Some require additional supplies or materials that are not provided by the DCA. Please indicate on the application if you need help with obtaining supplies.

  • If a scholarship is awarded, it may cover anywhere between 75%-100% of the cost of a class. Once a student has accepted a scholarship, it is non-transferrable. When a student withdraws from a class, the scholarship is cancelled and may not be applied to a different class. Cancellations may affect eligibility for future scholarships.

  • Scholarship recipients are expected to attend class regularly. Poor attendance, failure to use the scholarship during the term it was issued for, or withdrawal from the class may affect eligibility for future scholarships.

  • Evidence of income is required once per calendar year. Please provide a copy of the first page of your most recent tax return. If you do not have a tax return available, you may submit one or more of the following documents:

    • Employer pay stubs: two of your most recent ones; Documentation of governmental assistance; Snap benefits letter from food stamp office; Social Security/ SSDI/ or Pension Report

    • Please include evidence of income for anyone in your household that receives income. Be sure to black out any sensitive information, such as social security numbers.

    • You will need to email, mail or drop off the evidence of income to the DCA.

      • Email: dc4arts@downriverarts.org

      • Address: 81 Chestnut Street, Wyandotte, MI 48192.

      • Phone: 734-720-0671

Scholaraship form

Please fill out the form below. You can fill out on behalf of a family, but we will still need proof of income as indicated above.