Art Show, Auction Benefit Students

Daric Warneke did not think twice about paying $600 at an auction to buy a lithograph reprint of a painting by his late friend, John Santistevan.

Not only does he like the artwork, Warneke likes the idea that its sale helps to keep Santistevan’s memory alive.

After Santistevan, then 18, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Hollywood in 1993, his parents established the John C. Santistevan Memorial Scholarship Fund. It is supported by the annual art sale and auction.

On Saturday, Warneke and about 120 others attended the auction and exhibit, where more than 30 artists displayed paintings, photographs and sculptures for sale at the Burbank Creative Arts Center.

August Santistevan said although his son’s life was cut short, he left a legacy.

“When our son was killed, we wanted to keep his name alive, so we created a scholarship in his name to benefit art students,” Santistevan said. “It’s a small way of having him here with us.”

The fund awards $2,000 a year to a graduating high school minority art student enrolled in a four-year university program. Since 1993, the fund has awarded $18,000 in scholarship money.

His wife, Frances, said the program may be expanded either by increasing the amount of the one scholarship or by awarding scholarships to two students each year.

“Hopefully the scholarship can help those students who are very intelligent but don’t have the funding,” she said.

“We look at the GPA and clubs the student’s been involved in. We’re looking for talent and need. There are a lot of really talented kids out there.”

Nicolas Henderson received the art scholarship in 1997.

“The scholarship encouraged him to be more artistic,” said his sister, Mikaila. “It’s great because a lot of high schools are cutting out art programs and this is from an outside outlet that allows him to be recognized as an artist.”