Rose and Sidney Navratil, siblings destined to become esteemed Pittsburgh artists, were both born in Czechoslovakia, educated in Pittsburgh Public Schools, and throughout their careers, gave to support artists at the beginning of their journeys.
Sidney established the Rose J. Navratil Art Fund in honor of his sister, Rose, following her death in 1984. By that time, Rose had spent 25 years as a fashion illustrator for Horne’s, one of the oldest department stores in the nation and a Pittsburgh institution. Rose was an award-winning fashion illustrator and gained special renown for her depiction of furs.
Sidney also found success as a Pittsburgh artist, eventually leading his own design firm and spending his free time painting portraits of famous figures many of which he donated to WQED for its fundraising campaigns.
Sidney Navratil was a graduate of Carnegie Institute of Technology before it was renamed to Carnegie Mellon University.
When looking to properly honor the Navratil family’s artistic legacy and Rose’s leadership in the field, this scholarship benefiting Carnegie Mellon art students was a natural choice.
Since 1987, The Rose J. Navratil Art Scholarship Fund has been awarded annually to students from Allegheny County attending Carnegie Mellon University to study art, painting and design. During her lifetime, Rose exemplified drive and dedication in the field of art and design. With her family’s support, the fund in her name continues that legacy of supporting emerging artists at one of the region’s eminent art schools.
Link to the Rose J. Navratil Art Scholarship here: https://pittsburghfoundation.org/scholarship/1355.