WIA Awards Susan Bin with 2015 Phyllis Craig Scholarship

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Women in Animation (WIA) announced that Susan Bin is the winner of the 2015 Phyllis Craig Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded annually in the amount of $1,000 to one deserving animation student who demonstrates artistic talent, a passion for animation, and promise for the future. The award was bestowed upon Bin on Saturday, August 8 at the Motion Picture Television Fund Country House in Woodland Hills, presented by the eldest member of WIA, 105-year-old Ruthie Tompson.

Susan Bin is currently an animation undergraduate at Harvard with plans to pursue a career in visual development. Bin has previous training from LAAFA, Gnomon, and CGMA, and has interned at DreamWorks Animation and with Legendary Entertainment's comics department. She currently illustrates for Facebook with her most recently published work to be included in HBO's upcoming Game of Thrones Compendium. “I am honored to be the recipient of this year's Phyllis Craig Scholarship. As a developing artist who struggled to find a pathway into the animation industry, I appreciate that I am able to turn to Women in Animation's community of members and events for support and growth in both my career and as an individual,” says Bin.

Phyllis Craig was a founding member of WIA, known throughout the animation industry for her commitment to young people interested in learning the art and techniques of animation. For many years, Craig spearheaded an internship program, and when she passed away in 1997, the founding members of WIA created a special scholarship fund to honor her legacy. “Phyllis was an inspiration to so many, and I am sure she would be pleased to know that her passion continues to help women like Susan Bin pursue their dreams in our industry,” says WIA Head of Scholarship Committee Barb Cimity.

WIA is committed to honoring its past while building its future, and that is why Ruthie Tompson was asked to help present the scholarship to Bin along with WIA member Angela Lepito, who served as Bin’s supervisor at DreamWorks Animation. 105-year-old Ruthie Tompson was named a Disney Legend in 2000, recognizing her nearly 40-year career in animation with the Walt Disney Company. Her relationship began with the Disney brothers when they established their first West Coast studio on Kingswell Avenue in the 1920s, the Hollywood neighborhood in which she grew up. After graduating from Hollywood High School, Tompson worked as a painter on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, then moved into the animation checking department and eventually into scene planning, where she served as the supervisor for the department until her retirement in 1975. “It’s a special moment in WIA’s legacy to have a trailblazer such as Ruthie bestowing this award upon Susan, a member of our newest generation. It truly embodies the values of encouragement, mentorship, and paying it forward, all vital practices for WIA,” adds Cimity.

Source: Women in Animation