Young Pennsylvania Artist Malcom Corley Honored by Kennedy Center

 A young artist from Lancaster, PA, has received one of the most prestigious awards presented within the industry. 20-yearold Malcom Corley received an Award of Excellence and was crowned one of the Kennedy Center’s most promising emerging young artists as part of the annual Visual Art Exhibition organized by the Jean Kennedy Smith Arts and Disability Program. The event marked the 18th year that that VSA’s Emerging Artists competition has challenged young artists with disabilities, with Corley being amongst just 12 artists selected for the Award of Excellence, which comes with a $2,000 prize.

Corley, who was diagnosed with autism 17 years ago, created his winning piece ‘Untitled #1’ during AP art class at Hempfield High School, and was chosen from hundreds of 19 – 25 year olds to receive the highly acclaimed award. Judged by an impressive panel of noted art professionals including Moreno Valley College Art History Professor Amana Cachia, VAE Raleigh Director Brandon Cordrey, and Smithsonian American Art Museum Head of Public Programs Kayleigh Bryant Greenwell, Corley was the youngest honoree and the only award winner without dedicated post-secondary artistic training.

The EYA competition asks young artists to focus on a different theme each year, with 2019 challenging the artists to consider the unexpected and delve into areas which may potentially force them to step outside their comfort zone such as spanning new distances, forming connections, and exploring different relationships. Prizes included professional development workshops, receptions, certificates, head shots, and financial rewards of up to $20,000.

“These young artists have delved into connections in their lives that resonate deeply with their work; it makes visible what is often overlooked and challenges us to see the world from a different point of view, and through their personal lens,” said Betty Siegel, Director of VSA and Accessibility at the Kennedy Center. “We look forward to seeing the impact these 15 individuals and their work will have on invoking unity and inclusivity across the nation.”

The selected artwork was displayed for two weeks at the Virginia headquarters of Volkswagen Group of America, which has supported the EYA program since 2002. It will then tour the country as ‘Connected’ from November 2019 to September 2020.

This is not the first success that young Malcolm Corley has enjoyed. The up-and-coming artist has organized several solo art shows and commissions. His work has also been published online at Up the Staircase, Fusion Art, and The Penn Review. Corley’s unique art is available to purchase through his website, with hand-designed tiles, mugs, notebooks and tote bags on offer.

To find out more about Malcolm Corley, visit www.malcolmstiles.com