The Ventura County Arts Council recognized the 2010 Arts Scholars at a reception on June 1 at the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura.

The students passed a rigorous application process for the honor. They were chosen to attend the 2010 California State Summer School for the Arts/InnerSpark session at Cal Arts in Valencia.

The youths also received certificates from the council and local and state elected officials, as well as a commemorative folio featuring the arts scholars.

The local scholars are Evan Laffer of Thousand Oaks, Agoura High School, visual arts; and Guiliana PeBenito of Westlake Village, Westlake High School, creative writing;

InnerSpark offers instruction in the fields of animation, music, dance, film and video, theater, creative writing and the visual arts.

For information on the 2011 program, call the Ventura County Arts Council at (805) 658-2213 or go to www.innerspark.us.