Celebrating Creative Talent: Announcing The Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship
We are thrilled to announce the recipient of the inaugural Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship. This fellowship, a joint initiative by The Spark of Hudson Foundation and CREATE Council on the Arts, is a testament to the power of collaboration in nurturing local talent and inspiring artistic innovation.
We are excited to share that Shanekia McIntosh has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship. Shanekia is a multidisciplinary artist, encompassing roles as a poet, cultural mapper, and performer. Her work is an exploration of our living history, a tapestry of narratives that come together to create something truly remarkable.
Shanekia's artistic journey has taken her to prestigious institutions and festivals, including the New Museum, Second Ward Foundation, Portland Institute of Contemporary Art's TBA Festival, and many others. In 2021, she released her debut chapbook, "Spiral as Ritual," published by Topos Press. Her artistic prowess has been acknowledged not just locally but on an international scale, as she was an artist-in-residence at the International Studio and Curatorial Program in Brooklyn, NY, in 2023.
Stella Yoon, the Executive Director of CREATE Council on the Arts, expressed: "CREATE is honored to take part in this partnership and support an innovative approach to help propel an artist’s career. We are interested in exploring the impact and possibilities through this direct infusion funding model with The Spark. By providing funding to an artist where they live, they can continue to work and contribute to the community they live in rather than having to travel to other places to find opportunities to expand their creative practice."
As the recipient of The Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship, Shanekia will embark on a two-year journey of artistic exploration and expression. We invite you to join us in celebrating Shanekia McIntosh as she embarks on this exciting chapter of her artistic journey. Her work will undoubtedly continue to captivate audiences and inspire fellow artists in our region and beyond. The Spark of Hudson Creative Arts Fellowship is more than just an award; it's a spark of inspiration that will illuminate our artistic community for years to come.
Congratulations, Shanekia! We can't wait to see where your artistry will lead us.
CREATE Council On The Arts is a non-profit, arts service organization whose purpose is to support and advance the arts and cultural community by broadening and enriching creative resources and economic growth in the region. CREATE serves as the Statewide Community Re-grant arts organization for Greene, Columbia and Schoharie Counties. Since 1975, CREATE has provided information and essential services to artists, arts organizations, cultural and educational institutions, civic groups, community agencies and the general public. CREATE is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and the New York State Legislature. Questions? Email info@createcouncil.org