AWARD WINNER: Recent TCNJ graduate Piper Torsilieri is the winner of Princeton Area Community Foundation’s 2017 Thomas George Artist Fund Award. Graduating art majors from Mercer County colleges and universities are eligible to apply for the annual award of $5,000. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Area Community Foundation)

The Princeton Area Community Foundation has named Piper Torsilieri as the winner of the 2017 Thomas George Artist Fund Award.

Ms. Torsilieri, 23, who grew up in Flemington, graduated from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) in May.

Thomas George (1918-2014) was an internationally recognized artist whose work is included in the permanent collections of major museums, universities, corporations, and private collections around the world. As a young artist, he received financial support to study and practice his art. It was that good fortune that later led him to establish the Thomas George Fund at the Community Foundation.

“We’d like to congratulate Piper,” said Jeffrey M. Vega, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Our mission is to advance the well-being of our communities forever, and the arts are an essential part of vibrant communities. The Thomas George Artist Fund Award is just one of the many ways we use philanthropy to help our communities thrive.”

Graduating art majors from Mercer County colleges and universities are eligible to apply for the annual award of $5,000.

“I was so excited to win the award,” said Ms. Torsilieri. “It’s such a relief to have some help when you graduate so you can focus on what you love. It was great — really great.”

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