The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to announce that Emma Duran Gutierrez, a fifth grader from Woodland Intermediate School, has been selected as one of six students from Middlesex County to receive a 2026 Marisa Tufaro Memorial Art Scholarship.

The scholarship entitles Emma 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.

Emma has a natural ability to draw that sets her apart. She is constantly sketching – during free time, after assignments are complete, and whenever inspiration strikes. Her work reflects not only strong technical skill, but also creativity, attention to detail, and a deep sense of observation. Art is clearly the way she best expresses herself.

Though Emma is quiet and gentle in demeanor, her artwork speaks volumes. Through her drawings, she communicates emotion, imagination, and confidence in ways that are both thoughtful and impressive for a student her age. She approaches each piece with focus and care, and she takes pride in continually improving her craft.

Rutgers University’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.”

To date, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has been blessed and privileged to send 31 elementary and middle school students to attend the Zimmerli Art Museum’s summer camp in Marisa’s loving memory.

Established eight and a half years ago in Marisa’s honor and to keep alive her indomitable spirit, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has made a profound impact, donating nearly $450,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, has also spearheaded multiple initiatives resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, children’s books, school supplies and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded $36,500 in scholarships to exceptional high school seniors who have helped children in need.

Born with a severe cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 at the age of 13 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.

Marisa’s ambition was to attend an arts 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 in February 2017, days after Marisa’s untimely passing.

In 2012, Marisa was awarded a generous Summer Arts Scholarship to the Zimmerli Art Museum based on her achievement in camp and her artistic potential.

This year’s Marisa Tufaro Memorial Art Scholarship recipients share Marisa’s passion and talent for art.