Long Beach-based artists are taking center stage as part of the Arts Council for Long Beach‘s 2025 Professional Artist Fellowship program.
This prestigious program recognizes local artists who contribute to the city’s vibrant creative scene through their work, providing them with the opportunity to continue growing and developing their artistic practice in the years to come. The fellowship welcomes artists of all genres, including visual arts, performing arts, audio arts, literary arts, media arts, culinary arts, multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary arts, and folk and traditional arts.
- Grasping the value of art in the community
- A connection to the Long Beach community
- Exemplifying excellence in artistic merit and professional achievement
The fellowship program is part of the Arts Council for Long Beach’s mission to foster a more culturally rich and economically strong community. By supporting local artists and their work, the fellowship program aims to boost the local economy through tourism, community engagement, and civic pride.
This year’s 11 fellowship awardees showcase a range of artistic styles and mediums, including visual arts, performance, and storytelling. Each awardee has demonstrated a deep understanding of their craft and a connection to the community, which is reflected in their work.
| Name | Art Form | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alepsis Hernandez | Visual Arts/Muralist | A visual artist and muralist based in Long Beach, her work explores the lives of individuals in her community using an achromatic or monochromatic palette to highlight personality attributes. |
| Anna Katrina McBride | Literary Arts/Poetry | A poet and visual artist, her work explores universal themes of nature using vivid colors and interactive LED lighting. |
| Trinh Mai | Mixed Media/Cultural Storytelling | A second-generation Vietnamese American visual artist, her work serves as an aperture into which she examines the experiences of people who have been targeted worldwide. |
| Kiyomi Fukui Nannery | Installation/Conceptual Art | A multidisciplinary artist and educator, her work explores themes of loss, memory, and belonging using natural pigments. |
| Cory Bilicko | Visual Arts/Collage | A visual artist who creates collages and mixed-media pieces using oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting. |
| Kadie DiCarlo | Film/ Media Arts | A filmmaker who creates works that fuse linear abstraction with heavy atmosphere, aiming to untangle her neurobiological malaise. |
| Rebekah Rose | Dance/Choreography | A queer non-binary illustrator, muralist, trauma-informed yoga teacher, and somatic consent educator, Rose’s approach to their work is playful and humorous. |
| Tracy Negrete Allen | Visual Arts/Muralism | A female, Hispanic artist with a background in mural painting and fine art, Negrete Allen creates public art and collaborates with communities. |
| Stephanie Rozzo | Photography/Portraiture | A photographer who creates vibrant, realistic nature art and teaches a nature art class for beginners. |
| Sara Hassan Khani | Sculpture/Textile Arts | A multidisciplinary artist and educator, her current work explores the concepts of time, memory, and relationships between privacy and publicity. |
| Julio Salgado | Visual Arts/Social Justice Illustration | A mixed-media artist who uses his work to document and imagine the lives of undocumented and queer immigrants. |
As the Arts Council for Long Beach continues to invest in the local arts and support the growth of its fellows, the impact of the fellowship program will be felt throughout the community. This is reflected in the statement made by Griselda Suarez, executive director of the Arts Council for Long Beach:
“The 2025 fellows are not only masters of their craft, but also advocates, educators, and storytellers who use art to inspire change and build connection. We’re honored to recognize their achievements and invest in their continued growth as cultural leaders in our city.”
From a visual arts and performance perspective, to storytelling and community-based practice, the artists featured in the Professional Artist Fellowship Exhibition showcase the diversity and innovation that define Long Beach’s cultural landscape.
Examples of their work can be seen in the exhibition, which features their art, writings, or performances that reflect their creative practice, according to ArtsLB officials. The exhibition is set to open this fall, and serves as a celebration of the talents and achievements of the artists participating in the fellowship program.
The exhibition will showcase the rich and varied aspects of Long Beach’s arts scene, as well as the stories behind each artist’s work, and will highlight the impact of the fellowship program on the local community.
This article was edited for publication by a member of the article’s editing team.
This article concludes with the hope that the long-term impact of the fellowship program will be felt by the community and that the exhibition will serve as a driving force for the continued development of the local arts scene. With its diverse range of artists and creative output, the Professional Artist Fellowship Exhibition is poised to leave a lasting impression on the cultural landscape of Long Beach.
By [your name]
Editorial contributor
Closing Thoughts
The Long Beach fellowship artists will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the local arts scene. Their diverse range of artistic styles and mediums will serve as a celebration of the talents and achievements of these local artists. As they continue to develop their artistic practice and grow as cultural leaders, it is expected that their work will have a profound impact on the community. The exhibition is sure to be a groundbreaking event that showcases the best of the city’s arts scene. With the long-term benefits of the fellowship program set to be felt by the community, the opening of the Professional Artist Fellowship Exhibition promises to be a momentous occasion in the world of Long Beach’s arts scene.
| Artist | Type of Art | Method of Creation |
|---|---|---|
| Alepsis Hernandez | Visual Arts/Muralist | Mixed media, achromatic palette |
| Anna Katrina McBride | Literary Arts/Poetry | Painting, interactive LED lighting |
| Trinh Mai | Mixed Media/Cultural Storytelling | Printmaking, cultural themes |
| Kiyomi Fukui Nannery | Installation/Conceptual Art | Printmaking, natural pigments |
| Cory Bilicko | Visual Arts/Collage | Oil, acrylic, watercolor |
| Kadie DiCarlo | Film/ Media Arts | Linear abstraction, heavy atmosphere |
| Rebekah Rose | Dance/Choreography | Muralism, illustrations |
| Tracy Negrete Allen | Visual Arts/Muralism | Mural painting, fine art |
| Stephanie Rozzo | Photography/Portraiture | Nature art, watercolor |
| Sara Hassan Khani | Sculpture/Textile Arts | Multidisciplinary, natural pigments |
| Julio Salgado | Visual Arts/Social Justice Illustration | Mixed media, social justice themes |
About the Arts Council for Long Beach
The Arts Council for Long Beach, a nonprofit organization, aims to cultivate the physical, social, and economic characteristics of Long Beach neighborhoods by nurturing and enlivening the arts. Through its programs and initiatives, the Arts Council seeks to boost the local economy through tourism, community engagement, and civic pride. The fellowship program is a vital component of the Arts Council’s mission to support local artists and their work.
About the Professional Artist Fellowship
The Professional Artist Fellowship is a program designed to provide a platform for local artists to develop their skills and practice, while contributing to the city’s vibrant creative scene. The fellowship offers opportunities for artists to grow professionally, increase their visibility, and build meaningful relationships with the community. As part of the program, fellows receive grants, opportunities for professional development, and public engagement. The program is a testament to the Arts Council’s commitment to supporting the growth and development of local artists.
About the 2025 Professional Artist Fellowship Exhibition
The 2025 Professional Artist Fellowship Exhibition is a groundbreaking event that will showcase the talents and achievements of the 11 Local artists participating in the fellowship program. The exhibition will be a celebration of the arts scene in Long Beach, highlighting the impact of the fellowship program on the local community. The exhibition will be a driving force for the continued development of the local arts scene, providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and share their stories with the community.
Contact Information: [insert contact details]
Key Message
“Art is a powerful tool for connecting people and fostering a sense of community.
