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By The Daily Gleaner

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The Nel Oudemans Memorial Scholarship is a dream come true for Aidan Stanley.

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STEPHEN MACGILLIVRAY PHOTO

SHAPING A FUTURE: New Brunswick College of Craft and Design student Aidan Stanley, right, is this year’s recipient of the Nel Oudemans Memorial Scholarship. Above, he shows some of his work to Jack Oudemans, Nel's husband.

The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design student was named the 2008 recipient of the coveted prize Tuesday.

"It means a huge amount," said Stanley. "It is going to allow me to add things to my resume. So I am really happy that I've gotten it today and it will help me get to where I have to go."

The scholarship is designed to promote studies in the fine arts. The $500 scholarship was established in 2002 by the New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts and the Oudemans family.

Nel Oudemans was a renowned weaver who lived in Fredericton.

Stanley is pursuing a diploma of advanced studies-visual arts, a three-semester program that helps students to conduct research into elements of professional practice, while refining studio and entrepreneurial skills.

"We are sort of learning through the curriculum that it's important to have ideas, goals and dreams but, when it comes right down to it, it's the owner's capital that allows you to reach those gains and those goals," said Stanley.

"Receiving this award is going to allow me to sort of get there faster, and get a little more security under my belt."

Michael Maynard, principal and academic dean of the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, said the scholarship helps a student to complete his or her studies, and it also brings recognition and stature to the recipient.

"It means a lot in terms of their future career," Maynard said.

Jack Oudemans said it's wonderful that his wife lives on through the annual scholarship.

"I know that everyone who has won the prize has really earned it," Oudemans said.

Every year the name of the winning student, along with an artist statement, is written in calligraphy in the hand-carved wooden Nel Oudemans fund book created by Michael Oudemans.

Previous recipients of the Nel Oudemans Memorial Scholarship include Allison Murphy of Fredericton, Lawrence Power of Dieppe, Jolene Dube of Dalhousie, Amanda Harmon of New Maryland and Paula Stockdale of Sussex.

Anne Bertrand, chairwoman of the New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts, used the occasion Tuesday to announce the creation of the Charlotte Glencross Scholarship which will be awarded in 2009. She said Glencross worked tirelessly in the creation of the Charlotte Street Arts Centre.