We are delighted to announce the first six recipients of our mini-grant program for Lowell-based creatives!
“We were extremely pleased with the number – and quality – of applications received for the first round of funding,” Jes O’Hearn, Mosaic Lowell’s Director, said. “These first six applicants truly reflect Mosaic Lowell’s goals, especially support of youth programs and individual creatives.”
The grant recipients are:
Courtney Coviello, a Lowell-based artist and Digital Media degree candidate at UMass Lowell. Grants funds will be used for Coviello to complete her capstone project required for graduation. This video project, Além do Bem e do Mal, is an artistic music video that pays homage to the Azorean archipelago and to her late grandmother raised in Lowell during the Great Depression to Portuguese immigrants who escaped poverty back home in Portugal. The project explores themes of moving on from abuse and finding love in a supportive community.
Elizabeth Pellerito, a Lowell-based weaver and writer. Grant funds will support Pellerito’s project Weaving Justice in the Global Textile Industry: Mobile Weaving Workshops and Exhibition. This project is a series of mobile weaving workshops in and around Lowell where participants will not only learn to weave, but also learn about the racial and environmental impacts of the modern textile industry rooted in Lowell’s own textile history. Pieces woven during the workshops will be included in an installation exhibition, and a digital archive of stories from workshop participants and other information on the global textile industry.
Ginger Johnson, a Lowell-based author and artist who writes thought-proving fiction for children and young adults. The grant will be utilized for a Youth Writing Workshop to be hosted in partnership with one of the Lowell Public Schools. This workshop will result in each participating student receiving a copy of Johnson’s book The Other Side of Luck, participation in a discussion in-class, and capped off with an author visit and writing workshop.
Lautaro Mantilla, a Lowell-based composer, musician, and faculty member at the New England Conservatory. Grant funds will be used to finished sound and video editing of eight compositions exploring concepts of community and human interactions. The pieces include sound installations, a Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, a Rock Ensemble piece, a Double Bass solo piece, and en electronic music/video collaboration with composer Ted Reichman.
Maryam Salih, a Lowell-based artist, Iraqi refugee, and student at Middlesex Community College. Grants funds will be used to support her personal artistic practice and project: Jin, Jiyan, Azadi – Women, Life & Freedom. Salih is both an oil painter and digital photographer. Her paintings are an exploration of socio-political themes, reflecting on her family’s and others profound losses in the times of war and conflict; whereas, her digital photography is an exploration of cultural identity and multifaceted facets of fashion.
St. Patrick’s School, a culturally diverse K-8 school in the Acre with a student population that is 82% BIPOC and where 95% of students receive financial assistance for tuition. Grant funds will be used to fund a weekly arts enrichment afterschool program. The program will alternate instructors and cover drawing, painting, clay, music, and dance.
We will be showcasing each artist and project in a profile in the first half of 2024.
Mini-grant awards are for up to $1,000. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a quarterly basis. Mosaic expects to award 4-7 mini-grants per cycle. Individuals, unincorporated groups, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in every artistic and creative discipline are eligible to apply. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for the next round of grant decisions is 11:59 p.m. on January 31st. More information can be found on here.