Katherine S.B. Mills Photography Grant & Exhibit

Throughout her short life, Katie found growth and challenge by combining a love of photography and a curiosity for new people and places. For this reason, the award supports photographic study over the students' summer break, and often in new environments.

Grant recipients are asked to donate one of their photographs to the permanent Laurel Art Collection, a gift for the Laurel community that will create a future of images that express moments of knowledge, beauty and humanity.

Katie was a vibrant and talented member of Laurel’s class of 1997 who went on to study at Lewis & Clark College. A gifted photographer, Katie used her visits over the years to South America and Spain to record her intuitive and revealing impressions of people and vistas. Sadly, in 1999 Katie died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the home where she was staying while studying abroad in Chile. Katie’s death was mourned by all who knew her and the subsequent outpouring of gifts led to the establishment of a generous fund in her memory.

The purpose of the award is to assist aspiring students of photography in attending a summer photography workshop, an experience which nurtured Katie’s own interest in the art form. During her years at Laurel and thereafter in college, Katie loved and excelled at photography. It was her means of artistic expression. She used photography to document people around the world and their environment. In pausing to capture these objects, she celebrated the preciousness of life.

The Katherine S.B. Mills Photography Grant is an extension of Katie’s artistic passion and the people who love her. To support the grant, please see our Restricted Giving page.