Twinkling Christmas lights adorned the walls alongside silver balloons and brightly colored streamers, bringing a festive feel to the annual Scholarships for Scholars art auction and benefit dinner. Two guitarists played folk music as attendees danced, mingled among the wine bar and grazed at the generous buffet table. The unfinished studio walls and floors gave a raw, authentic flair to the whole atmosphere.

Around the studio, various pieces created by first-year graduate students were on display and up for auction.

The event was organized to provide partial scholarships for the UW School of Art’s graduate students of 3D4M, a new interdisciplinary consortium that merges the previously separate programs of ceramics, glass, public art and sculpture. Its mission, according to the program’s Web site, is “to explore interdisciplinary exchanges ... that reflects and supports the nature of contemporary art in the context of a leading research university.”

Now in its ninth year, the benefit has distributed approximately $150,000 to 28 graduate students and has attracted support and donations from around the country.

The 3D4M program is highly competitive and accepts about three students per year, said UW School of Art director Chris Ozubko. This is in part due to lack of funding for the program overall, leading the department to be especially selective in the admission process.

“We’ve lost a lot of funding over the past couple years, and it’s made us have to become a lot stricter about who we accept,” Ozubko said. “So the artists we select tend to be very special and talented indeed.”

The program is the only one of its kind that allows graduate art students to dabble in all areas — ceramics, glass, public art and sculpture — instead of concentrating on just one, which makes it very attractive to artists considering a graduate program.

“As of right now, we’re the only one in the country that allows students to gain exposure to all areas during their two years,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for them to develop as artists.”

Ozubko said he is particularly proud of the support students — both past and current — provide to the Scholarships for Scholars event.

“It’s always amazing how much money we can generate from this event, which of course all goes to support talented students who need it,” he said. “A lot of alums come back and help out their successors, contributing money and bidding on the art pieces. The undergraduates help out by cleaning the studio beforehand and volunteering at the event. It’s like a perpetual cycle, and everyone does their part.”

Senior ceramics major Margaret Spear said she felt compelled to volunteer because she believes in the program so passionately. Spear also helped out at last year’s event.

“It’s always really fun and people just enjoy themselves,” Spear said. “We all — undergrads and grad students — just pitch in and help each other out. I love all the grad students, and we spend so much time together in the studios; how could we not want to lend a hand?”

Preparation for the event began fall quarter, Spear said, and graduate students typically begin working on their pieces for auction about four or so months in advance.

“They’re working their tails off for months before it all happens,” Spear said. “Their dedication is quite incredible, and it’s awesome to watch it all come together in the final days before the event.”

Spear said she hopes to one day pursue a Master of Fine Arts and would ideally like to gain acceptance to the 3D4M program. But, she realizes just how competitive the admission process is.

“It really is such a difficult program to get into — who knows if I’d even get in,” she said. “Besides, after I graduate I’ll probably work on my art for a while — that’s what most people do before they apply for grad school. You kind of need to develop as an artist more before you do a master’s degree.”

Ben Waterman did just that, taking several years off to work on his art before he was accepted to the 3D4M program. He said he was attracted to the UW because of the top-notch reputation of the program overall and the faculty.

“A lot of students really come here because they admire the faculty so much, and I was one of them,” Waterman said. “Also, the opportunity to work in several different areas at once is one of a kind in terms of master’s programs. I really wanted to be in an environment that pushed my boundaries, and UW was the one.”

Unfortunately, paying the bills is a reality any artist must face, and many must work day jobs or teach art classes just to make ends meet.

Alicia Basinger graduated from the program in spring 2008 and now earns a living by teaching ceramics classes at various local studios.

“As much as I’d love to make art all the time, everyone’s got to figure out how to make it work and survive at the same time,” she said. “In today’s economy, I’m really starting to think the best thing to do is keep working as much as I can.”

Still she’s thankful for her time spent as a 3D4M student.

“It was a tremendous experience, and I’m so glad I was a part of the program,” she said. “That’s why I’m here tonight. I want to support it as much as I can and help others become a part of it.”

Reach reporter Katie Paff at features@dailyuw.com.