Memory of Newton boy lives on through art scholarship

The memory of the late Brendan O’Brien lives on through his love of art and a scholarship for students interested in pursuing a creative-based occupation. Bob O’Brien, local owner of Dairy Queen, lost his son in a vehicular accident in 2013.

“Brendan was in every way an artist at all times,” O’Brien said. “He took art classes at the YMCA and in Des Moines and was just always doodling and drawing. I thought it would be best to honor him through a scholarship intended for artists.”

O’Brien said for the past few years, the Brendan O’Brien Fund has provided a scholarship for high school seniors interested in the arts, but this is the first year it has established a connection with the Centre for Arts and Artists to give $1,000 to a college student.

“We just hope the money is used in anyway it helps the student,” O’Brien said. “Anything to really perpetuate my son’s name is great for me. I just hope that other artists may think of him in the future.”

The money in the fund is able to continue these scholarships for 20 to 30 years into the future, he said.

This year’s scholarship recipient is Lauren Roush, a Newton native entering her senior year at Grinnell College. The Centre for Arts and Artists hosted a presentation Wednesday night to recognize her. Roush was homeschooled as a child, and attended Newton High School for art and AP classes. She also took advanced nursing at DMACC while in high school and became a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, which allowed her to work with disabled adults for nearly five years. Roush then received her Associates Degree at DMACC, and transferred to Grinnell as a fine art major three semesters ago.

“Art has just always been something that I’m interested in,” Roush said. “I couldn’t really pick a time when I became interested in it … I’ve just always been passionate about art. And my parents have always been very supportive. They’ve always said, ‘do what you love, and the money will follow.’”

O’Brien said Linda Klepinger, director of the Centre for Arts and Artists, chose Roush’s application.

“She told me about Lauren, we sat and talked about her and I thought she was a wonderful candidate based on what I had been told,” O’Brien said.

As a younger student, Roush volunteered and took classes at the Centre for Arts and Artists, and has known Klepinger for many years.

“Anyone who has a creative spirit, regardless of their position in life, can come back to that creativity,” Klepinger said. “Art is therapeutic, engaging and gives a passion. Artists have that passion and are anxious to learn new skills, they enjoy creating for their own heart and soul. Brendan had that same soul, and Lauren has that same passion to excel and please herself through her art. I think it is such a wonderful opportunity that Bob O’Brien is providing for Lauren, and she is very deserving of it.”

Roush is currently working on an internship at the Jeweler’s Bench with her uncle, Jeff Roush. She said she used to do more traditional 2D work but has since found other mediums she enjoys, like sculpture and jewelry.

“Art can influence a lot of people in different ways,” Roush said. “It is aesthetic, and it can be used as a form of social healing and social critique, a form of expression. It can also be very cathartic for some people.”

Klepinger said the ability to finance a college education can be difficult for art majors. Many colleges have hidden studio fees and require students to pay out-of-pocket for project materials.

“But there are so many jobs with a creative base, and many facets of creative-based activities, so this scholarship can really help,” Klepinger said.

Ruth DenHartog, an art teacher at Newton High School noticed the talent in Roush when she was a high school student.

“When a student takes an interest in art, all of the teachers take an interest in the student,” DenHartog said. “We noticed she was creative and had a hard work ethic to produce work. You can really tell when someone is interested in trying new things and honing their skills ... and for Bob O’Brien to honor his son by supporting people interested in art — it’s like a living legacy.”

Roush said she is unsure of her plans for the future, but hopes to possibly receive her master’s in fine art and teach in a college setting.

“I am very, very thankful to the O’Brien family for the scholarship,” she said. “It’s kind of bittersweet for me ... I hope that the scholarship can be used as a form of healing for the O’Brien family as much as it is helpful to my education.”

Contact Savannah Eadens at newsroom@newtondailynews.com