Boston Artist Kelly Taylor Mitchell Awarded Prestigious SMFA at Tufts Traveling Fellowship
Boston, MA – Kelly Taylor Mitchell has been selected as the latest recipient of the School of the Museum of fine arts at Tufts University Traveling Fellowship, a grant established in 1894 to support emerging artists with international study opportunities. Mitchell will use the fellowship to pursue her project,”Mouth Wide Open,” exploring diasporic connections in Brazil.
The Traveling Fellowship, funded by a $30,000 bequest from James William Paige, provides financial support for a two-year period of autonomous artistic research abroad. Mitchell’s work builds on a legacy of notable past fellows including Nan Goldin (Dip ’77), Ellen Gallagher (Dip ’92), and Evelyn Rydz (AG05 MFA), who have leveraged the award to launch impactful careers. This year’s selection underscores SMFA at Tufts’ ongoing commitment to fostering artistic exploration at all career stages.
“Mouth Wide Open” investigates the complex histories and cultural exchanges between African diasporic communities in Brazil and the United States.The project will involve extensive fieldwork, archival research, and collaborative artistic practices within Brazil, aiming to illuminate shared experiences and resilience.
The first Traveling Scholar, Mary Brewster Hazelton, embarked on her European journey in 1899, initially traveling to artistic hubs like Paris, Rome, and Florence. While destinations have evolved, the fellowship’s core mission remains consistent: to empower artists to broaden their perspectives and deepen their creative practise through immersive international experiences.
For more information on the SMFA at Tufts Traveling Fellowship and other artist support programs, visit https://smfa.tufts.edu/. Details about the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, can be found at mfa.org.