Cochise Newsroom

Aevah Rios, a Cochise College fine arts student, has been awarded the distinguished 2025 AAG/AWA Gayla Bonnel Scholarship for water media. In addition to the $1,000 scholarship, Rios’ artwork will be featured in a statewide exhibition at the Shemer Art Center and Museum in Phoenix from May 21 to July 10, 2025.

 

Rios also delivered an artist talk in April at the Arizona Artists Guild in Phoenix, where she reflected on her creative journey and shared her passion for visual storytelling with the broader arts community.

 

“When I finally got the email, I was overwhelmed with excitement,” said Rios. “I thought I didn’t get it because I hadn’t heard anything in a while and figured the deadline had already passed.”

 

Originally from Safford, Rios has been immersed in the world of art since childhood. She enjoys skateboarding, painting portraits, and creating comics. She credits her parents for nurturing her early interests in art. “They inherently knew I liked art, and my dad always encouraged me to keep developing my skills. That gave me the confidence to continue with my art,” she said.

 

This May, Rios will graduate with an associate degree in fine arts from Cochise College and plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University to further her education. Her long-term goal is to become a comic book artist or illustrator—dreams rooted in a lifelong love of drawing cartoons and storytelling.

 

“Having had the privilege of recommending Aevah for this scholarship and mentoring her throughout the process, I couldn’t be prouder of her achievement,” said JenMarie Zeleznak, art instructor at Cochise College. “This opportunity not only validates her dedication and talent but also highlights the strength of our art program in nurturing emerging artists.”

 

To aspiring artists, Rios offers this advice: “If you want to create something—just make it. All art is practice. Keep learning new things, enjoy the process, and don’t stop—even if there are setbacks.”

 

To learn more about fine arts programs at Cochise College, visit www.cochise.edu/programs/fine-arts.