2025 Norma Hongisto Fine Art Scholarship Winners
Laney held their First Annual Juried Student (Art) Show and two (2) students were awarded the Norma Hongisto Fine Art Scholarship on May 8th.
August 5, 2025
The Norma Hongisto Scholarship fund was created in order to support future Art students at Laney college in their careers and studio practices. Awards will be presented annually to selected students as part of the annual juried student exhibition.
Starting in the 1970s, Norma took art classes at the Berkeley Adult School, Merritt College, College of Alameda, Laney College, Berkeley Senior Center, and Feather River College. She loved the Laney College art program, where she studied under the well-respected June Steingart. Norma continued her artwork well into her mid-80s (circa 2010). She loved acrylics, oil, pastel, and watercolor painting and making ceramic bird houses and planters.
Hongisto Winner bios:
Emmet Bush
Instagram: @emmetbushart
Website: https://emmetbushart.square.site/
Emmet Bush creates art to ground himself and integrate his spirituality with the material world. His work draws from influences of Jewish mysticism, his experiences as a transgender person, mental health, and a curiosity about the boundaries of human consciousness.
He works in many mediums including acrylic paint, graphite, colored pencil, and ink. He is currently studying art at Berkeley City College and has maintained his art practice for over 10 years.
He works in many mediums including acrylic paint, graphite, colored pencil, and ink. He is currently studying art at Berkeley City College and has maintained his art practice for over 10 years.
Donald Diggs
At 70, I am both a student of academia and life, pursuing my AA in Sociology while continuing my artistic journey. This piece marked my first endeavor into Raku firing ceramics — a process of fire, unpredictability, and transformation. When the kiln opens, the results are always a
surprise, much like life itself. The Seal with Baby is an attempt at duplicating nature’s form and bond. Through this work I engage with themes of care, resilience, and the lasting imprint of experience.
surprise, much like life itself. The Seal with Baby is an attempt at duplicating nature’s form and bond. Through this work I engage with themes of care, resilience, and the lasting imprint of experience.
Erica Morris
Instagram: @ericamorris__
Erica Morris is a Studio Art major who fell in love with painting during her first painting class at Laney in Spring 2024. Despite taking the class on a whim, it quickly became her favorite thing to do. A few months later when her grandma asked her why she decided to become a painter, she realized it was not a conscious choice; she just went to class and discovered she was one. Next semester she will have transferred to finish her BFA before pursuing an MFA. She loves painting outside —despite her allergies— and is motivated by her deep appreciation of twilight, nature, and her hometown. She has been drawn to landscape paintings since the beginning but as she continues to paint and study art history the scenes draw closer to home.
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