Fischl Vanguard Awards

The Vanguard Award was created in 2005 by Eric Fischl, contemporary figurative realist painter—and PC alumnus, to recognize emerging student talent in the fine arts.

“Phoenix College gave me my start, and I want to honor that opportunity.” – Eric Fischl

Fischl feels a sense of obligation to give back to the place where he first felt he could be—and was allowed to be—an artist. Fischl says that he is inspired to help Phoenix College become a center for the arts in downtown Phoenix.

Presented as part of the Eric Fischl Lecture Series, the Vanguard Award is a $2,500 Best in Show Award, selected by Fischl and Series guest artist from among the work submitted for the Annual Student Art Exhibit. The Vanguard Award winners’ art is displayed in the Phoenix Art Museum’s Great Hall during the Fischl Lecture Series.

To-date, 69 students have been presented a total of 78 Vanguard Awards. If you are interested in supporting the next generation of great American artists and the Vanguard Awards, please contact the Phoenix College Alumni & Development Office, at 602-285-7667.

Vanguard Award Recipients

2025, Jade Deming, Marina Naito, Lila Castaneda, Nicholas Erikson
2024, Adam Corona, Jakob Lemos, Gwynne Olea, Gabriela Rodriguez
2023, Monica Spencer, Christian Antonio Lopez, Monica Castillo, Karla Daniela Martinez Lopez
2022, Elise Ascencio, Lorita Bigman, Martha Gore, Melanie Larios
2021, Isaac Brill, Jorge Hernandez Chacon, Brenda Mason, Luis Zamora
2020, No recipients due to the Covid-19 pandemic
2019, Donna Forst, Chelsea Niven, Jasmine Sims, Sharon Tsosie
2018, Julie Grasso, Kimberly Harris, Julia Szczecinski
2017, Makenzie Heinemann, John Paul S. Kellogg, Amy Sansbury Manning
2016, Case Binkley, Maera Grove, Jennifer Williamson
2015, Timothy Correa, Paul Elliot; Paint Co-Lab Members: Lee Brown, Deborah Butterfly, Meghan Canty, Edgar Fernandez, Linda Fitzgerald, Jim Jefferies, Jose Rodriguez, Kris Manzanares, Mary Meyers, Daniela Moneta, and Aimee Ollinger
2014, Paint Co-Lab Members: Kasha Banko, Leslie Barton, Lee Brown, Meghan Canty, Claudia Castro, Deanna Diehl, Natasha Dickinson, Linda Fitzgerald, Jim Jeffries, Kris Manzanares, Daniela Moneta, Al Merino, James Pettis, Alan Pobanz, Jose Rodriguez, Tracy Smith, and Marco Turrubiartes
2013, Amelec Diaz, Roberto Romero
2012, Thomas Ingersoll, Kris Manzanares, Marco Turrubiarte
2011, Jesus Sandoval, Joe Valenzuela
2010, Sharon Kindred, Anna Reitz
2009, James Legg, Alexandria Mada
2008, Francisco Garcia
2007, Catherine (Caty) Raya
2006, Sarah Amalia Brooks
2005, Michelle Marie Bevins