Three Students Get MJSA Foundation Scholarships

By Rob Bates | July 31, 2023

The MJSA Education Foundation has awarded scholarships to three students who plan to make jewelry-making their career.

Christopher Liu (pictured), now entering his senior year at Texas Tech University School of Art in Lubbock, won a $5,000 scholarship. Liu has been exploring jewelry designs MJSA describes as having “the presence of sculpture.” He plans to pursue advanced studies after graduating, and says he’d eventually like to teach as well as open a studio for artists of various disciplines, including fashion and jewelry, to collaborate and create. Liu also won an MJSA scholarship in 2020.

Annsley Matthiessen, who is working toward receiving a Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA at the end of the year, won a $2,500 scholarship. A recent graduate of GIA’s jewelry design and technology program, she is studying at its London campus. Her goal is to be a full-time jewelry designer.

Annsley Matthiessen_MJSA — *Annsley Matthiessen*

Matthew Rongbai Smith, currently in the GIA graduate diamond program and planning to study other GIA tracks, won a $2,500 scholarship. Smith is also pursuing a business management degree from South Georgia State College and a psychology degree at Valdosta State University. He works in repairs and custom services at Crawford Jewelers in Waycross, Ga. Smith was orphaned in his native China before he was adopted and brought to the United States. He would like to open his own jewelry store someday while also helping other orphans realize their potential.