The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to announce that Aiden Scott, a student at Cambridge Elementary School in South Brunswick, has been selected to receive a 2025 Marisa Tufaro Memorial Art Scholarship.

The scholarship entitles Aiden to attend a weeklong art camp this summer at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum, where Marisa previously honed her craft and where her artwork was once displayed at an exhibit.

A natural and gifted artist whose precocious talent belies his young age, Aiden is a student of Cambridge Elementary School art teacher Kristin Mallon.

Aiden is an exceptionally passionate young artist, showing remarkable dedication and creativity in his work. His artistic skills continue to grow and evolve. Whether it’s through his use of charcoal, his attention to detail, or his ability to think critically about art, Aiden consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to refining his craft. He is willing to explore new ideas and approaches.

Open-minded and eager to take on challenges, Aiden pushes himself outside of his comfort zone to expand his artistic expression. Aiden’s intellectual curiosity makes him a unique individual who thrives in creative environments.

In addition to his artistic abilities, Aiden is a kind and collaborative individual. He works well both independently and as part of a group, always contributing ideas in class discussions and group projects. He is respectful of others’ perspectives and always ready to offer support to his peers, creating a positive and encouraging environment within the classroom.

The Zimmerli Art Museum’s Summer Art Camp allows artists (ages 7-14) of various ability levels to explore their creative side and develop new skills alongside wonderful teaching artists in a unique setting only an art museum can provide. Children often find inspiration in the museum’s collection as they explore the galleries.

According to Rutgers University’s website: “During the hot days of summer, the Zimmerli is the place to be for budding young artists. Each year, new classes are added to stimulate, challenge and delight both veteran and newcomers who participate in the program. The Zimmerli continues to offer its popular classes in painting, drawing, pastels, watercolors, sculpture, and an art ‘sampler’ class.”

The scholarship opportunities have been made possible through donations to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation from a member of the Greater Middlesex Conference Baseball Coaches Association, who wishes to remain anonymous, and other generous benefactors.

Marisa’s ambition was to attend an art college, and while God’s plan did not allow her to make it to one, her work did.

A piece Marisa constructed with a New York City School of Visual Arts graduate student during an art therapy session at New York Presbyterian’s Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital was displayed at the “Your Turn” exhibit at the college’s Flatiron Gallery in Manhattan a month after her untimely passing.

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa was an honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Established seven and a half years ago, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating more than $375,000 and spearheading multiple community initiatives to fulfill its mission of helping pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit has donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $33,000 in scholarships to high school seniors who advance the nonprofit’s mission, and before year’s end will have sent 31 elementary and middle school students to the Zimmerli Art Museum’s weeklong summer art camp.

To learn more about the Zimmerli Art Museum and its collections and program offerings, please visit https://zimmerli.rutgers.edu/.