Halo Arts Project announces 2025 fellows

Halo Arts Project announced the seven recipients of the 2025 Halo Fellowship Award, recognizing outstanding visual artists who enrich their communities. This year’s fellows are:

• Carrie Ann Baade, whose oil paintings connect historical masterworks with contemporary experience;
• Clifford McDonald, an artist and the founder of Art 4 Change Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating change through art, information, advocacy and service;
• Fran Failla, who specializes in still-life oil paintings;
• Marc Brechwald, a self-taught artist who concentrates on realistic figurative drawings;
•  Mär Martinez, an interdisciplinary artist who specializes in sculptural painting;
• Rob Tarbell, whose work was featured in the Skyway exhibition at the Sarasota Art Museum and at 502 Gallery's "Shopliftable" show, both in 2024; and
• Tatiana Mesa Pajan, a process-based artist who expresses her ideas across various media. 

Each recipient will receive a $5,000 fellowship supporting their creative endeavors and artistic growth.

The award is based on artistic excellence, originality, innovation, community impact and professional commitment.

The awards were handed out at a reception Friday, March 7 at Art Center Sarasota.