A Bridgeport woman is among five new recipients of the 2022 Emerging Artist Fellowship awarded by the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts.
The fellowship enables promising early-career artists to pursue knowledge of and experience with the arts-based business component of being a creative entrepreneur and working artist in West Virginia, according to a news release.
Selected fellows demonstrate a superior level of mastery in their craft as well as the aptitude to become successful professionals leading well-managed creative enterprises.
Mary Roy, of Bridgeport, was selected for her mastery working with textiles.
“I originally began embroidery to find a hobby to do after my previous corporate 9-5 job,” she said in a statement. “It proved beneficial to my mental health and allowed my creativity to come out. Over time I have found embroidering landscapes to be my specialty. I love recreating textures found in nature and using nature-based color palettes. I work diligently to create one-of-a-kind landscape works that showcase the recognizable, natural beauty. It is important that I create something many people can recognize and enjoy.”
The other 2022 Emerging Artist Fellows are as follows:
Fierce Sonia, Mixed Media (Greenbrier)
Steve Hughart, Blacksmith and Sculptor (Cabell)
Rachel Dennison, Mixed Media (Wetzel)
Robert Shobe, Woodwork and Upcycling (Grant):
Each fellow will receive technical training, mentoring, consulting, branding and a $2,500 award to assist with the successful development and launch of their creative business. Through increased visibility, marketing and networking, Tamarack Foundation for the Arts will assist each fellow to integrate into local and regional markets and access professional development. Tamarack Foundation for the Arts will host an Emerging Artists Fellowship gallery show at Taylor Books Charleston in August 2022.
Tamarack Foundation for the Arts Executive Director Renée Margocee said, “Being a successful artist is more than developing an artistic practice. Those looking to earn a living based on creativity must also understand efficient business strategies, marketing, pricing, and networking. This fellowship develops these skills to help artists remain in their communities and thrive in the Mountain State.”
Fellows were selected by an independent committee consisting of master-level artists and arts leaders from across West Virginia. This year’s selection committee included Robert Villamagna, mixed media artist and an assistant professor of art; Adam Hodges, interim assistant program director of WVSU Extension Service and former Director of Museums for the West Virginia Division of Culture and History; Robert Moore, mixed media artist and executive director of Beckley Arts Center; Susan Feller, artist and arts advocate at ArtWools; and Brian Reed, artist, designer, performer, and educator.
To learn more about the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts and the Emerging Artist Fellowship, visit .