In every thriving arts city, there are programs that quietly yet powerfully support that city’s creative future. For Charlotte, one such catalyst is the Blumenthal Fellows Program. This competitive initiative fuels mid-career artists with funding, mentorship, and platforms to share their work with the world. Each year’s class is announced during the Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF). The Blumenthal artists of 2025 reflect the Queen City’s bold, boundary-pushing art.
For the Blumenthal artists of 2025, nine artists will each receive up to $15,000 in grant funding, thanks to support from Barringer Construction and other sponsors. These artists are: Rupam Varna, Jay Huleatt, Eva Crawford, Emily Sage Avery, Nony Tresierra, Kortney Paloalto, Viashali Awale, Friday Jones and Dweh Brown.
A Growing Legacy
Launched in 2021, the Blumenthal Fellows Program propels local artists toward ambitious “stretch goals.” In other words, it helps aritsts with projects they might never have realized without the right resources. Over the past four years, Blumenthal Arts has invested more than $515,000 into 50 Fellows’ projects. All told, this creates opportunities for painters, sculptors, performers, and multimedia artists to bring transformative work to life.
The program is as much about community as it is about funding. Fellows meet monthly with past participants and industry experts to share ideas, workshop concepts, and receive mentorship that can shape both the project at hand and the trajectory of their careers.
Local Artists, Local Impact
What makes the Fellows program especially impactful is its blend of artistic freedom and public engagement. Projects are intentionally interactive, designed to invite audiences in rather than keep them at a distance. They display alongside national and international talent, eliminating the boundaries between “local” and “global” art in the eyes of festivalgoers. Many Fellows’ works have found new life beyond the festival. For example, some tour nationally, are commissioned for permanent installation, or spark new collaborations.
Blumenthal Arts’ commitment extends beyond the fellowship. Initiatives like the Blume Studios immersive experiences, Artist in Residency programs, and the wide array of opportunities connected to the Charlotte International Arts Festival all funnel resources and visibility toward the local creative community. In 2024 alone, Blumenthal paid $505,000 to local artists participating in CIAF. This underscores the organization’s dedication to keeping Charlotte’s arts scene not just alive, but thriving.
Blumenthal Artists of 2025 Take Center Stage
For the Fellows themselves, the experience is often career-defining. The combination of grant funding, mentorship, and a prestigious platform provides a rare trifecta that allows artists to take risks and push the limits of their craft.
As Charlotte grows, programs like the Blumenthal Fellows serve as a reminder that the city’s cultural strength lies not only in the talent it attracts, but also in the talent it cultivates. By investing in its own, Blumenthal Arts ensures that Charlotte see and celebrates local artists. Moreover, Blumenthal positions its artists to take their place on the global stage. For the 2025 Fellows, that stage is now set—and the Queen City is ready to watch them shine.
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