Foundation Trust Emerging Artist Fellowship Applications Due October 25
The Foundation Trust is excited to share that applications are currently being accepted for the Foundation Trust 2021 Emerging Artist Fellowship Award at Follow Your Art Community Studios in Melrose, MA. Through this fellowship, The Foundation Trust seeks to advance inclusivity in the arts across cultural, neurological, and gender identities.
The fellowship supports a local artist for a 12-month period by providing studio space, a stipend for materials and supplies, and a solo exhibit.
“FYACS is a unique haven for artists of all abilities to practice their art,” says Dr. Joseph Spinazzola, Executive Director of the Foundation Trust. “We are thrilled to partner with FYACS for the second year in a row to raise up a diversity of voices to this community.”
“We are grateful that the Foundation Trust has generously supported FYACS in our efforts to prioritize diversity, inclusion, and equity,” says Kris Rodolico, Executive Director of FYACS, “especially as the pandemic has challenged us to find new ways to make art accessible to everyone.”
Applications are due October 25, 2020. Artists can visit FYACS website to learn more and to apply: https://www.fyamelrose.org/air-fellowship/
Current Fellows Update
Two local artists were awarded fellowships in the inaugural year of this partnership, and have been working on their art over the last several months.
Rebecca Flores-Mantilla, a Malden resident who was awarded the 12-month Emerging Artist fellowship in December 2019, works in acrylic and non-toxic oil paint. The subject of her artwork focuses on how food nourishes both body and soul. She says having a dedicated studio has been essential during the pandemic. “When you have family with you in tight quarters, having a place of solitude to create art is so important,” she says. The studio has also given her the space to create larger works. “When I look at my previous artwork, it feels constrained. Now I can express myself on larger canvases in a way I couldn’t before. I’m thankful for the fellowship for providing that opportunity.”
Flores-Mantilla’s artwork can be seen on Instagram at sampaguita68.
Erika Lally received the two-year Working Artist award in January 2020. Lally’s art echoes themes of “things hidden in plain sight” incorporating organic objects such as tree bark and bees wax into mixed media canvases and small collages. Lally who works a trauma therapist and has a Master’s degree in art therapy, says “Without this fellowship, I wouldn’t have been able to make the body of art I’ve been making. I’ve never had a studio before and having the space to get lost in my thoughts and make art has been incredibly important during the pandemic.”
See Erika Lally’s art on Instagram at erika.lally.art.
“The first year of this partnership between the Foundation Trust and FYACS was different than anyone could have expected, but we are thrilled that Rebecca and Erika were able to connect to and grow their art in new ways,” remarks Lauren Liecau, Manager of the Foundation Trust. “We are proud to support FYACS in elevating and embracing the creativity and diversity of our community and we look forward to welcoming our next fellows.”
Exhibitions of Rebecca Flores-Mantilla’s and Erika Lally’s work will be held later this year.
Learn more about the Fellowships and how to apply at www.FYAmelrose.org.