A native of New Orleans, Daniel Buckner Price attended Benjamin Franklin High School and the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA) from 1989 to 1993. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1998 from Southern Methodist University, where he won national awards as editorial cartoonist for the school’s newspaper, The Daily Campus. During the next five-and-a-half years, Daniel established himself as a first-class professional artist in both New Orleans and San Francisco. In addition to his regularly commissioned portraits of people and dogs, Daniel’s murals and paintings grace the walls of multiple restaurants in the two cities, as well as historic homes and the grand ballroom of Harrah’s Casino.
Tragically, Daniel was shot and killed while protecting his wife, Sarah, a fellow Ben Franklin graduate, from an assailant in San Francisco on December 19, 2003. He was 28-years old. A memorial service was held in his honor at NOCCA on December 24, with several of Daniel’s paintings and drawings on display.
Throughout his career, Daniel often credited NOCCA with providing a strong foundation for his artistic skills and love of fine art. And it was at NOCCA that he first began expressing his deep appreciation for the city of New Orleans. Daniel possessed an unending passion for life, art, music, sport, beauty, fun, and for his hometown. The spirit of New Orleans was ever-present in his artwork, and he continually sought to capture the magic he saw in the city and its people. Having come of age in a place where life is seen as one big celebration, Daniel celebrated everyday moments in his paintings, drawings, murals and sculptures, and he made each of those images burst with the same radiant energy he exuded in his own life. Though his career took him to places around the world, such as San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the Loire Valley of France, Daniel’s fascination with New Orleans themes and traditions continued to dominate his art. His last series of paintings, shown in his first solo exhibition at the Canvas Gallery in San Francisco, depicted Mardi Gras Indians and musical images of New Orleans.
Purpose
The Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists was established to give exceptional NOCCA graduates an opportunity to pursue higher educational studies in a fine arts discipline. The Fund provides scholarships to outstanding NOCCA graduates so they can follow their artistic passion while obtaining a college degree. The Fund also supports tuition at summer programs across the country, so that NOCCA’s young artists can continue their training all year round.
Eligibility
All college-bound seniors with a fine arts concentration are invited to apply for the scholarship during their final year at NOCCA. Qualified candidates will exhibit strong interpersonal skills and a desire to pursue a fine arts career, with plans to attend college in the fall following their graduation from NOCCA. Applicants must also demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the New Orleans artistic community.
Selection Process
To be considered for the scholarship, a student must first be nominated by a member of the NOCCA fine arts faculty. Each nominee must then submit a two- to three-page essay discussing his or her professional goals, focusing on future involvement in the New Orleans artistic community. Students will be asked to submit a portfolio as well. NOCCA faculty and members of the Price family will work together to select the scholarship recipient.
Scholarship
The Fund’s scholarship is a one-time grant to be awarded annually to the outstanding NOCCA senior who best meets the above criteria. The amount of the scholarship will be determined on a yearly basis, always equaling the amount of interest earned on the total value of the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists.
Donations
The Price family welcomes donations to the Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists. Donations are made through the NOCCA Foundation, which is NOCCA‘s nonprofit support and advocacy partner. The Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization, and charitable contributions are tax-deductible. Donations can be made quickly and securely online by clicking the link below.
You can also mail your gift to the following address:
Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists
NOCCA Foundation
2800 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
If you would like to make your contribution over the phone, or if you wish to discuss your donation with Foundation staff, please call 504-940-2900.