The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida announced fifteen local artists are receiving grants this year at the 35th anniversary celebration of Art Ventures, an endowed grantmaking program that supports individual artists and arts organizations.
Kathy Stark, a visual artist, was honored with the Ann McDonald Baker Art Ventures Award, which carries a $20,000 unrestricted grant, in recognition of her body of work, which shows artistic vision and brings distinction to Northeast Florida as a region that nurtures creativity. Stark is the 11th annual winner.
“I was absolutely thrilled and honored to be recognized in this way,” said Stark. “Like Ann Baker, I’ve tried to do my part in giving back to the community: by focusing my art on our ‘wild backyard,’ I hope to create awareness and appreciation for these important spaces that give us a sense of place and identity.”
In addition, fourteen local artists were awarded $5,000 Art Ventures individual artist grants to help them take the next step in their careers. The grants were decided through a bi-annual, highly competitive, peer review process. Applications were evaluated on artistic merit, with additional consideration for how the artist is influenced by and impacts Northeast Florida.
“Congratulations to each of the talented artists selected for these prestigious grants,” said Amy Crane, Vice President of Programs at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. “We are continually inspired by the creativity and vision of our local artists, and it’s an honor to support them as they elevate their careers to new heights.”
This year’s grants were awarded to:
- Thony Aiuppy – visual artist and art educator, Jacksonville, FL – to create an original graphic novel about architect Henry John Klutho
- Christopher Clark – visual artist, Jacksonville, FL – to pay for studio rent and materials in preparation for major exhibitions in the coming year
- Teresa Cook – watercolor artist and educator, Jacksonville, FL – to support a new backyard studio for arts education workshops and to revamp her mobile art brand
- Michelle Lizet Flores – poet, Jacksonville, FL – to develop a national audience for “Florida Poetics” through travel, poem and manuscript submission, and the development of a “nature zine” featuring visual art and poetry
- Myah Freeman – multidisciplinary visual artist, Jacksonville, FL – to pay for time, materials, and equipment for a pro bono mural project
- Theresa Fervers Jimmerson – contemporary choreographer, St. Johns County, FL – to develop a short dance film about recovery from trauma called “The Wind Touched First” featuring five dancers in natural locations around St. Augustine
- Wendy Kusmaul Keeling – ceramic artist, Nassau County, FL – To pay for essential ceramics equipment, called a pugmill, to develop, prepare, and recycle clay
- Tatiana Kitchen – visual artist, Jacksonville, FL – to cover one year of studio rent and the purchase of professional-grade materials for a new body of work inspired by Northeast Florida’s unique spirit
- Dawn Montgomery – fine art painter, Jacksonville, FL – to help purchase painting supplies, framing and professional image capture of a series of portraits of people in the manufacturing industry
- Bob Self – photojournalist, St. Johns County, FL – to support exhibition and travel expenses to promote a new, fine art book of photographs taken at American Beach during the summers of 1988-1990, the last years of large crowds at the storied Black beach resort
- Christa Sylla – dancer, Jacksonville, FL – to formalize her original dance curriculum, which preserves African and Afro-diasporic dance forms, and disseminate it for broader educational use among homeschool families, community groups, and schools
- Kat Tarbet – photographer and multimedia artist, Jacksonville, FL – to invest in updated studio equipment, set-building materials, professional printing and framing, and other costs, supporting the creation of new work and reaching new audiences
- Tony Walsh – writer, Clay County, FL – to support the development of “SAVAGE!,” a chamber theatre piece about the life and struggles of Augusta Savage
- Geej Williams – performing artist, Jacksonville, FL – to help develop a biographical one-woman theatrical production called “From Davao to America,” which follows the artist’s transition from Marcos-and-Aquino-era Philippines to America
Established in 1990, Art Ventures has awarded $1.6 million to more than 260 artists and 150 arts organizations since inception. The awards were announced Tuesday at a celebration event hosted by The Community Foundation and emceed by Al Letson, a past Art Ventures winner, at the Jacksonville History Center’s new event space, the former casket factory in downtown Jacksonville now known as the Haskell Building.
“Thirty-five years ago, the trustees and staff of The Community Foundation embraced the bold vision of establishing Art Ventures with vital support from local donors and the National Endowment for the Arts,” said Isaiah M. Oliver, President of The Community Foundation. “Their foresight and dedication laid the foundation for every grant we’ve awarded—and what’s truly remarkable to consider at this anniversary is that these special grants will continue in perpetuity.”
About Art Ventures
Art Ventures began in 1990 as a commitment to invest in local individual artists as well as arts organizations. To date, Art Ventures has made more than 260 grants to individual artists and 150 grants to arts organizations, totaling more than $1.6 million since inception. Funding for Art Ventures Individual Artist grants comes from the Art Ventures Endowment, the Baker Family Advised Fund, the J. Shepard, Jr. & Mary Ann Bryan Arts Endowment, the Delores Barr Weaver Black Artists Endowment, Anne and Sallyn Pajcic Art Ventures Endowment, the Independent Life Minority Arts Fund, and the Alynne Sharp Art Fund.
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the state’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Created in 1964, the Foundation manages more than $750 million in assets as of 10/1/2025 and has made more than $850 million in grants since inception. For more information, go to www.jaxcf.org.
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Note to editors: Photography of the artists is available upon request.
For more information:
Stephanie Garry Garfunkel
VP, Strategic Communications
904-356-4483 | sgarfunkel@jaxcf.org