The Speedy Cash. Brejenn Allen, artist
The 2026 South Arts State Fellows for Visual Arts exhibition is on view through Friday, October 23, at the Western Carolina University (WCU) Fine Art Museum in the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee. The exhibition marks the first stop on a regional tour featuring artists selected through South Arts’ Southern Prize and State Fellowships for Visual Arts program.
Established in 2017, the program supports visual artists across a range of disciplines. Each year, one artist from each of the nine states in South Arts’ region receives an unrestricted $5,000 State Fellowship.
“Beyond technical skill, the jury seeks artists with a strong and distinctive vision, a thoughtful engagement with their chosen medium and a compelling body of work that feels purposeful and fully realized,” says Hillary Crawford, vice president of programs for South Arts. “They also recognize that artistic excellence takes many forms, particularly across a region as culturally rich and varied as the South. The fellowship celebrates that diversity.”
The 2026 fellows are Jeff Schmuki of Auburn, AL; Kerry Phillips of Miami, FL; Sergio Suárez of Atlanta, GA; Dianna Settles of Lexington, KY; Caitlin Ezell Waugh of New Orleans, LA; Brejenn Allen of Meridian, MS; Zaire Linnex Miles-Moultrie of Greensboro, NC; Jay Owens of Travelers Rest, SC; and Johana Moscoso of Memphis, TN.
Milky with sleep. Heaven and earth. The world is never more clearly around us. Dianna Settles, artist
“This cohort underscores that contemporary art in the South cannot be defined by any single style, medium or perspective,” Crawford says. “These nine artists are engaging with a wide range of themes, materials and cultural influences, demonstrating that the South is home to an extraordinarily dynamic creative ecosystem. Together, their work reflects both deep connections to place and a willingness to engage with global conversations, illustrating the innovation, complexity and diversity that characterize contemporary art across the region.”
Each fellowship is unrestricted, allowing recipients to determine how the funding can best support their practices. “Unlike project-based grants, unrestricted awards allow artists to respond to their most immediate needs, whether that’s purchasing materials, dedicating more time to their practice, pursuing research, paying for studio expenses or simply creating financial stability,” says Crawford. “That flexibility empowers artists to take creative risks and make decisions that best support their long-term growth and artistic development.”
Since 2019, traveling exhibitions have been a central part of the program, bringing the work of State Fellows before audiences in different communities throughout the South. WCU Fine Art Museum was selected to open this year’s tour before the exhibition travels to additional locations.
“WCU Fine Art Museum was selected as the first venue because of its strong commitment to presenting significant contemporary art, serving regional audiences and supporting educational engagement,” Crawford says. “The museum provides an excellent platform for introducing this year’s fellows to the public while creating opportunities for meaningful interaction among artists, students, scholars and community members.”
The nine State Fellows are also candidates for the program’s two larger awards. A national jury will select a Southern Prize winner and a finalist, each of whom will receive additional funds. The winner will also receive a residency at The Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, GA. The two artists will be honored during an awards ceremony at the museum on Thursday, October 8, from 5–7 p.m.
“I hope visitors discover unexpected connections among the works,” says Crawford, “and leave inspired by the ways artists invite us to see our communities, histories and futures through new and thought-provoking lenses.”
WCU Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center is located at 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee. For more information, call 828.227.3591 or visit BardoArtsCenter.WCU.edu. Learn more about South Arts and the Southern Prize at SouthArts.org.
