2024 Utah Artist Fellowship Recipients
Design Arts
Juror: carla diana
Steven Chodoriwsky
From Juror's Statement, "The collaborative energy demonstrated not only in the creation of the work but through the ways in which the work is publicly shared is exhilarating."
Austin Namba
"Up to this point in my career, I have mostly done artwork for other people, helping them make their ideas come to life. This award comes in perfect timing for me to focus more on my inspirational work – work to help the world and make it a better place."
Riley Ridd
"While the financial aspect of the fellowship is hugely beneficial, I’m possibly even more grateful for the validation to keep forging ahead in this area of my work. Thank you!"
Arika Schockmel
"In theatre, prop designers can feel undervalued and unimportant. The fellowship's psychic impact on my hard-to-define artistic identity is immense and inspiring."
Leah Wulfman
From Juror's Statement, "In challenging the normative, intended uses of new technologies, they challenge us as viewers to question our own expectations and contemplate the ways we can challenge ourselves to think differently."
Performing Arts (dance)
Juror: Alexandra james
Halie Bahr
"Being an artist living and working in rural Utah presents itself with real connection and dance community challenges. This fellowship is not only recognition for the work completed and its impacts within Utah, but also is a line of continued connection to others within the dance community — both within and outside of Utah."
Bryan Boyer
"I approach my artform in the way of remembering why I got into it in the first place. A lot of people put so much pressure on what's next, and for me I try to savor the moment and enjoy working on the things that made me enjoy the art."
Yasin Fairley
From Juror's Statement, 'In the work of Ya-Ya Fairley, we listen and witness their necessity to be seen, to be considered, to be visible and protected. The work demonstrates clear embodiment of thought and research through different adaptations and performance modes."
Jyothsna Sainath
"As my own artistic interests grow and intellectual interests take root within the space of the arts, the fellowship provides an opportunity to catalyze collaborations and participate in conversations from the perspective of a practitioner, and a steady consumer of scholarly literature in my field of interest."
Shelby Taylor
From Juror's Statement, "The theatrical elements and craft of Shelby Taylor’s work was considered and well wrought. She narrates clear commitment to community and home-making for Dance artists in Utah that feels driven by empathy and thought."
Visual Arts
Juror: RACHELLE b. pablo
Alexandra Fuller
"The images explore the inextricable relationship between resilient people and places on the edge, as well as the changing nature of both. I am interested in the aesthetic value of these changes, and the search for balance between purity, perfection and damage."
Meaghan Gates
From Juror's Statement, "Her ceramics are a convergence of biomorphic forms in an in-between layered state of process. Gates' work activates a perception of aliveness and evolution that confirms the impermanent fragility of nature."
Byron Ramos
"I am at the point in my career where I am eager to expand and take on new challenges and create opportunities. I have a great Mentor, Jason Millward who I am partnering with to lay a foundation to begin a workshop for veterans and this award really helps with setting up key basics such as getting tools."
Holly Rios
"This fellowship has been really uplifting, and came at the perfect time. I am currently an Artist in Residence at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and this fellowship provides me with much needed financial support while I produce a new body of work."
Dana Worley
"I am captivated by the color, texture, light, and movement found in nature. Using glass, I am able to recreate these experiences.
My art is not typically a literal translation of my influences, but rather my attempt to capture their essence."