Kyle Brooks has always considered himself to be an artistic person. As a result of a new scholarship in his name, he will now be able to help other aspiring artists to hone their craft.
“I couldn’t believe it, but I thought it was pretty great,” said Brooks, 45, of Lithonia. “This scholarship really means a lot -just that I’ve been supported in this way in the community that I grew up in.”
Story on the Square in downtown McDonough recently launched the Kyle Brooks Honorary Scholarship, designed for a local high-school senior who plans to study art in college. The scholarship honors Brooks’ talents, which include a mural adorning the wall at Pasta Max Café.
Brooks, a 1992 graduate of Stockbridge High School, began painting 20 years ago while living in Fayetteville. He said over the years, he has focused his efforts on creating artwork “in a fun way.”
“I had painted back in the ‘90s here and there but nothing consistent,” said Brooks. “I liked making stuff look older, bringing more character or life to it. There’s something about painting on something that already had a story to it.”
That mindset, said Brooks, led to his being approached by business owners in McDonough about bringing his artwork to the area. This, in turn, led to the Pasta Max concept.
The scholarship came on the heels of a signing for Brooks’ latest book titled “Smile a While.” Brooks said he is grateful for the support of McDonough’s government and business communities.
“I was kind of really floored by the whole thing,” said Brooks.
Dr. Stephanie Gordon, owner of Story on the Square, said the scholarship helps to offset the cost of college for art students. She said the endeavor also honors Brooks, who attended Henry County schools himself.
“Art school is expensive, and we need to encourage those who make our world more meaningful and beautiful,” said Gordon. “We hope to provide a $5,000 scholarship for a graduating senior at the new McDonough High
School planning to study art in college.
“McDonough High School is a Title 1 school, meaning it is a school with a large concentration of low-income students,” continued Gordon. “We have an ambitious but reachable goal to raise $5,000 for a student this year, but if no one at this school commits to an art education, it can roll over to the next year a student does.”
Gordon said a Pro/Am art show is in the works for the spring, to enable local artists and art students to showcase their work.
“Until graduation, we will be accepting donations to fund this
scholarship at Bank OZK McDonough Branch at 2125 Keys Ferry Road,” she said.
Funds can be brought to the bookstore or sent via PayPal to stephaniegordonmd@gmail .com. Brooks and his wife Maria and have two children – Teddy, who is almost two years old, and Ruby, who is nearly a month old.
Brooks said he hopes the scholarship will help young people to follow their artistic dreams.
“I made good grades in high school, but I didn’t have much guidance for what I wanted to do,” said Brooks. “If this will help somebody explore their interests, it would make me happy knowing that something I did could help somebody else to follow their interests and passions.”
For more information, email stephanie@storyonthesquare. com or call 678-759-0079.
