Know a high school student who is an aspiring artist and loves cars, too? Then here's a competition you'll want to share with them: The Bill Neale Automotive Fine Art Award for High School Students. The Call for Entries launched Thursday at Mecum Dallas 2023. The award, benefiting the nonprofit TechForce Foundation, honors world-renowned automotive artist Bill Neale, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 95.
The competition is hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), which is also a sponsor alongside co-sponsors The Carroll Shelby Foundation, Mecum Auctions and Terlingua Racing Team.
"Mecum Auctions is pleased to partner with The Carroll Shelby Foundation, Terlingua Racing Team, and Texas Auto Writers Association to recognize the artistic brilliance of Bill Neale while also supporting the creativity of high school students and their pursuits in the auto tech industry,” said Dave Magers, CEO of Mecum Auctions.
The competition is open to U.S. high school students from 9-12th grades. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded. The competition focuses on the traditional fine art mediums Neale so skillfully mastered.
“The Neale Family is so excited to launch The Bill Neale Art Award for High School Students! Our dad, Bill, started drawing at the age of five, became an art teacher before going into advertising and melded his passion for art and love of all things fast into a renowned career,” said Leslie Neale, Terlingua Racing Team. “We’re excited to help inspire the next generation to do the same! He would have been so thrilled to support TechForce as he so believed in bettering oneself through education, determination and hard work. We can’t wait to see all the talent!”
Along with inspiring future automotive artists, the award will also make a donation to benefit TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission of championing students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. This year, TechForce will award $2.3 million in scholarships and grants for students to obtain technical education in a number of transportation careers including auto, aviation and motorsports.
"TechForce is honored to be a beneficiary of this amazing collaboration. Students who love cars, engines and working with their hands can have amazing futures in the technician profession, " said Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation CEO. "With 5 jobs waiting for every 1 tech school graduate, we need more people aware of and pursuing the skilled trades. Our nonprofit is fueled by donations from individuals, companies and foundations, and so this honor is very appreciated."
The Bill Neale Automotive Fine Art Automotive Art Award for High School Students would not be possible without the generous support of the Texas Auto Writers Associations co-sponsors: The Carroll Shelby Foundation, Mecum Auctions, Terlingua Racing Team.
For more on the competition, please visit the award's official website: www.billnealeaward.org.
Photo Courtesy of Mecum Auctions.