Press release from the Center for Craft:
Now in it’s thirteenth year, the Center for Craft’s Windgate Fellowship marks $1.95 million awarded to 130 emerging craft artists nationwide. Nominated from a national network of 104 university art programs, these makers represent a skilled and motivated next generation for craft.
Each year, the Windgate Fellowship identifies ten graduating college seniors with exemplary skill in craft. Awardees receive $15,000 – one of the largest awards offered nationally to art students.
“The Windgate Fellowship provides critical financial support as a bridge between college and graduate school or life as a working artist,” says Stephanie Moore, Executive Director. “The Fellowship instills confidence and fosters bravery to take risks and the chance to seek and engage in career-enhancing opportunities.”
The results of such early support are already beginning to emerge. Today, Windgate Fellows hold full time faculty positions, are accepted into nationally renowned residence programs, mount solo shows, and establish successful studios. Over half have gone on to earn a Masters of Fine Arts degree. Their work can been seen in nationally traveling exhibitions, represented in galleries, and published in periodicals such as American Craft. Supporting the next generation is one of the Center for Craft’s main focus areas identified to build a thriving national craft field.
This year, four panelists reviewed a national pool of 99 applicants on the basis of artistic merit. They also discerned the potential of each applicant to make significant contributions to the field of craft.
The 2018 selection panel included:
• Michele Cohen, Chair, Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY
• Fabio J. Fernández, former Executive Director, Society of Arts + Crafts, Boston, MA
• Mia Hall, Executive Director, Penland School of Crafts, Penland, NC
• John Souter, Visual Artist & 2012 Windgate Fellowship Recipient, Philadelphia, PAThe 2018 Windgate Fellows are:
• Kiley Friese, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Wood/Furniture
• Danielle Iris, Appalachian State University, Fiber/Textiles
• Charlene Lachicotte, Tennessee Tech, Jewelry/Metalsmithing
• Sonya McCormick, University of the Arts, Jewelry/Metalsmithing
• Eric Meeker, Rochester Institute of Technology, Glass
• Hannah Mullen, Parsons, The New School of Design, Sculpture/Puppet Making
• Casey Newberg, Kendall College of Art and Design, Jewelry/Metalsmithing
• Elizabeth Phillips,Maryland Institute College of Art, Fiber/Textiles
• Justin Seow, Rhode Island School of Design, Wood/Furniture
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