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Fay Chandler Emerging Art Exhibition

The awards recognize fresh, original and contemporary works of art created by Boston artists.

Hosted by the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, the Fay Chandler EMERGING Art Exhibition will feature fresh, original, and contemporary works of art created by Greater Boston area artists. The art will be displayed at Boston City Hall in the Scollay Square Gallery and other galleries from November 15, 2023 to December 30, 2023. This year's Fay Chandler EMERGING Art Exhibition will be curated and judged by the founders of Juniper Rag, an art and lifestyle magazine.  

Submit your artwork

Overview

The deadline for submissions is October 27, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

The awards are named after Fay Chandler, a champion and advocate of the arts. She started her career as an artist later in life. Chandler serves as an inspiration for this exhibition and to artists of all ages.

PRIZES
  • Best in Show: $5,000.00
  • Over 50 years of age award: $2,500.00
  • Started making art in the last three years award: $1,500.00
Eligibility
  • Artists must live, work, or create in Greater Boston.
  • All work must be made in the last three years.
  • Artists with commercial gallery representation are ineligible.
  • Artists must be at least 18 years old.
  • 2D art MUST be wired across the back, ready to hang & no larger than 36” in any dimension.
  • 3D art must be no larger than 18” in any dimension.
  • Prize winners from last year's Fay Chandler Emerging Artist Award are not eligible.

The reception for the Fay Chandler EMERGING Art Exhibition will take place on Thursday, November 30 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the Scollay Square Gallery, on the 3rd Floor of Boston City Hall.

Past winners

Past winners
Sandrea Lovelock Williams, Best in Show ($2,500)
Wen Yu, Started Making Art in the Last Three Years Award ($1,500)
Robin Radin, Over the Age of 50 Award ($1,000)
Image for img 4502
Sean Cummings and Yelena Synkova, Best in Show Award 

Image for untitled, no 354

Untitled, no. 354 is a collaboration between wood sculptor Yelena Synkova and Sean Cummings, who illustrates from the perspective of architectural history. Cracks, spalting, and unusual growths naturally occurring in the wood are celebrated from the origin of each of their pieces in the woodturning process through to the illustration work in ink. Such anomalies in the wood are the points of departure for the drawing of City and landscapes.

Sunanda Sahay, Over the Age of 50 Award 

Image for "hope: the third boon" by sunanda sahay

Sunanda Sahay is an eminent artist who paints in a folk style called Mithila/Madhubani. This is the ancient folk art form practiced in her home region in Northern India. Sunanda’s works have stayed true to the traditional themes of mythology and social customs. Her style has not deviated from the dense, arching, and brightly colored strokes characteristic of the art. Her paintings have received widespread attention and acclaim, including several juried show selections and awards. She is also the organizer of an annual cultural event "Essence of India."

Sam Belisle, Started Making Art in the Last Five Years Award

Image for "life is beautiful, 2017"

Sam Belisle’s piece, “Life is Beautiful, 2017”, is an intimate look into the domestic setting of Jay (Jordan Caldwell) and Bills (Brian Billingslea). It is a self-proclaimed title by Jay and Bills that references the name of a three-day long music, art, and food festival in Las Vegas, Nevada that they are attending that day. Belisle wants viewers to wonder and attempt to understand why one would spend so much money on entertainment when they do not even have furniture. This painting is presenting priorities and expectations that may be unfamiliar to some. But, it shows the balancing act that is ever-present in a working-class context. Using cardboard in place of canvas reinforces the narrative surrounding an economy of means and points softly toward issues of access.

Myron Belfast, Best in Show Award

A Dorchester resident, Belfast was born in Trinidad and grew up in Cambridge. Belfast is a self-taught artist. He learned by watching the movements and techniques of other artists. Working primarily in charcoal, his work can be described as contemporary art-deco. Myron will be having a solo exhibition in the 5th floor Mayor's Gallery at City Hall January 23 - February 28, 2018.

Keith Maddy, Over the Age of 50 Award

A resident of the Back Bay, Maddy is a mixed-media artist. He works exclusively with cut paper and collage. Maddy uses the medium as a form of drawing, painting, and even for poetry and story-telling. Maddy meticulously hand-cuts source material from different works, including vintage children's books. His material is selected for specific colors, line quality, paper, and content.

Mark Tortorella, New to Making Art Award

Tortorella is a self-taught artist who lives in the South End with his wife and two children. Two years ago, after a successful career in finance, Tortorella decided to follow a lifelong passion for creating art and began working as a professional artist. Tortorella works primarily in oil paints, on both board and canvas in the Tromp L'oeil style.

Molly Scannell, Best in Show Award

A visual design artist, Scannell received the Best in Show award for her work title, "Congolese Schoolgirls 3." We awarded her a prize of of $2,500.

Eva Redamonti, Recently Became an Artist Award

Redamonti is a pen and ink illustration artist who depicts drawings that blend realistic scenes with fantasy. She was recognized as the Recently Became an Artist award winner for her piece, "Emily's Dream 2." We awarded her a prize of $1,500.

Jodi Colella, Over the Age of 50 Award

Jodi Colella creates sculptures and installations that explore human relationships. She was recognized as the Over 50 Years of Age artist for her work, "Power Figures." We awarded her a prize of $1,000.

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