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.