Wagner Arts Fellowship Honors Three Artists
The Wagner Foundation, Cambridge, Massachusetts recently introduced the Wagner Arts Fellowship. Under the scheme, three Boston-based artists—L’Merchie Frazier, Daniela Rivera, and Wen-ti Tsen—were recognised for their contributions to the local art community. The awardees will be officially celebrated at a ceremonial event on May 22nd, at the time of the Boston Public Art Triennial.
The Wagner Foundation promotes health equity, economic prosperity, and cultural change globally. The inaugural Boston Arts Fellowship AKA the Wagner Arts Fellowship is an extension of the same.
What Do the Boston Arts Fellowship Winners Receive?
The inaugural Boston Arts Fellowship awards encompass an unrestricted grant of $75,000. But that’s not all, the winners can also access specialized support services—career counselling, legal guidance, and financial advisory. The three winners will display their work at the MassArt Art Museum (MAAM) in the exhibition ‘GENERATIONS,’ organized by the Wagner Foundation.
About The Three Wagner Arts Fellowship Winners
This first group of Wagner Arts Fellows reimagines the role of artists within a community setting. Coming to Boston with unique global viewpoints and at different stages in their careers, each Fellow leverages their cultural backgrounds and life experiences to contribute to the city’s dynamic arts landscape.
L’Merchie Frazier (b. 1951) uses quilts, metals, and beads to reflect the craft of marginalised communities, frequently portraying Black individuals and familial scenes. She is a local historian and educator. Daniela Rivera (b. 1973) is recognized for her immersive installations and paintings, which focus on cultural exchange and expresses intricate social narratives. Wen-ti Tsen, an 89-year-old painter and sculptor, centres his art on the experiences of the working class and immigrant populations in Boston. He is particularly well-known for his public art project, the ‘Chinatown Worker Statues.’
The Reason for the Inaugural Boston Arts Fellowship
The Wagner Arts Fellowship assist those whose studio and/or public art practices tackle social issues and enhance our collective comprehension of social change. It is managed by United States Artists.
Abigail Satinsky on the Inaugural Boston Arts Fellowship
Abigail Satinsky, the Wagner Foundation Program Officer and Curator of Arts & Culture responded, “We are thrilled to be part of celebrating Boston’s creative community and to amplify the work of these incredible artists and their contributions to the city. Across the arts ecosystem here—from the Boston Public Arts Triennial to the ICA Boston Foster prize to the Arrival Art Fair and the many others that support our region’s incredible community—we are collaborating with our peers and partners to elevate artists’ voices at this critical moment, affirming that art matters in this city and across the country.”
Charlotte Wagner on the Wagner Arts Fellows
Charlotte Wagner (Founder/ President, Wagner Foundation) comments, “L’Merchie, Daniela, and Wen-ti are important voices in the arts community and deserve both the recognition and a national platform for their work. At the Foundation, we believe that art is essential to our collective health and well-being. We look forward to ensuring continued support and growth of Greater Boston’s art community through our annual fellowship.”
Image Courtesy – Wagner Arts Fellowship
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