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Date: 4/18/2023
SPRINGFIELD — One hundred-thirty-six artists in Springfield were celebrated on April 10 at the Community Music School for being recipients of Massachusetts Cultural Council Sector Recovery Grants for Individuals.
The artists all received an unrestricted grant of $5,000 each, making the total amount for the city $680,000. Springfield had the third largest number of awards in the commonwealth.
The awards went to individuals such as “Menzuo” books author Keshawn Dodds; award-winning poet Magdalena Gomez; graphic designer and painter Ryan Murray; painter and illustrator Gabriela Sepulveda, cartoonist Michael Valade; and designer and stylist Justin Haynes, among many others.
Karen Finn, executive director of the Springfield Cultural Partnership, said in a written statement, “Springfield is a city of creatives who continuously contribute to our identity, health and vitality. We are thrilled to celebrate this important investment in and recognition of individual artists.”
The event was marked by a visit to Springfield by Michael J. Bobbitt, executive director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, who noted the total for the grants state-wide was $51 million.
He spoke about the “beautiful artistic scene” in the city and noted the many murals that have been painted.
“Art can make a place and make people feel welcomed,” Bobbitt added. He described artist as having the ability of seeing the future, “They can look at a blank canvas and know that there is something there. They can take the mundane and turn it into something special.”
Bobbitt said the arts sector accounts for $27.2 billion of the state’s economy. There were 7,660 applicants for this grant and Bobbitt said 98 percent of them were first-time applicants for a state Cultural Council grant.
He told the artists gathered for the event, “Thank you all for making the world a better place.”
The complete list of recipients includes: Aaron St. Louis, Alvilda Sophia Alegria, Azariah Cardona, Clarensa McCreary, Justin Cohen, Kahli Hernandez, Kathryn Taccone, Keshawn Dodds,, Leonard W. Underwood, Sally Greenhouse, Scotty M. Swan, Traci Talbert, Brendaliz Cepeda, Tempest Henry, Ronald A. Jermakian, Shenell Ford, Justin Haynes, Kenneth Harris, Paulette Pinero, Brendon Holland, Magdalena Gomez , Marc Austin, Mercédes Loving-Manley, Milton White, Nathaniel Jewell, Ryan Murray, Bernard Jackson, Donyel Felton, Gabriela Sepulveda, Tran Nguyen, Zulfiqar Manzi, Carole Guthrie, Devin D. Streeter, Esther Haagsma, Sheldon Smith, Tracey Thomas, Morocco Flowers, Michael Valade, Darlene Savage, Michelle Falcón Fontánez, Porn Siphanoum, Amy Lake, Donna ChinSee, Frankie Borrero, Jasper McCoy, Mariela Chavez, Shaquana Baldwin, Tiffany Allecia, Aaliyah Thomas, Angela Mack, Anthony Rauls, Ashley Rodriguez, Ashley Tresoline, Beyonn Blye, Brenda Roswess, Brian Gebo, Briyanna Henry, Cailin Manson, Chance Seymour, Chaunacey Hill, Christian Valle, Christie Hester-Moore, Christopher Lyons, Cynthia Swan, Darrius Johnson, Denise Mari Stewart, Donald Smith, Dorren Rennis, Douglas Foresta, Ellen Pollock, Emma Mesa-Melendez, Fabian Torres, Gillian Hinkson, Gineen Cooper, Gloria Yayamzuri Agosto, Gregory Anderson, Gregory Ashley, Gwendolyn Smith, Heshima Moja, India Anderson, Ivette Bell, Jacqueline Williams-Hines, Jafet Martinez, James Harrison, Jason Ortiz, Jaylen Moore, Jeri Odindo, Jesse Burgess, Jessica Lee, Jillian Rodriquez, John P Morgan Jr, Johnathan Fournier, Jonathon Wilson, Jordan Lewis, Joron Stimage Norwood, Jose Ortiz Lorenzo, Jourdan Thomas, Jovon Eldridge, Julissa Rodriguez, Justin Mattarocchia, Kamari Schoolfield, Khalif Sharif, Kimberly Hayes, Leroy Davidson, Lloyd Creswell Jr, Madeline Copp, Maria Kenison, Mark Jones, Michael Normand, Michael Pastoreck, Moriah Taylor, Mydalis Vera, Olivia Hatten, Paula Slade, Philip Govan, Renee Stewart, Richard Johnson, Roberto Martinez, Ruth Cobb, Sasha Figueroa, Shakia Barron, Shakiela A. Haines, Shamari Stampp, Shatoyia Jones, Sherry Coulis Stephanie Burgess, Stephany Marryshow, Steven Lantigua, Symone Green, Tarquinn Samuels, Tashyra Lewis, Taylor Mickens, Tiana Judkins, Tracey Davis, Tyrell Stewart and Walter Woodgett.