Ana Adeline Foundation, New Orleans, LA (2026)

03/30/2026

2026-2027 GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS FOR YAYA ALUMNI - The application is now OPEN!

The Ana & Adeline Foundation Grant & Scholarship Program funds opportunities in visual arts & design for YAYA alumni representing a range of ages and stages in their careers & disciplines in the visual arts and design.

Visit anadeline.org/apply to begin your application.

02/05/2026

YAYA Alumni Grantee Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Ian Jackson recently earned an AA in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. He plans to use this grant to launch his collection, Category 5, inspired by Hurricane Katrina. He acknowledges the everlasting toll of the trauma that Katrina left on New Orleanians. The Category 5 collection was created as an homage to the resilience of Jackson’s community.

“My collection is only an interpretation of what was once understood to be a small trip and is now the most pivotal moment in my life. My brand, described in one word, is resilient just like my people because at the end of all of the horrible events that occurred, we danced, we smiled, and we dared to love and trust others around us,” he reflects. Jackson has chosen to classify each “category” as a gift: art, dance, film/photography, dance/theatrics, and fashion.

He also strives to bring artists together through collaboration and outreach, stating, “The creative outpour that comes from New Orleans is astonishing and I’ve decided to use my talent to boost and aid other artists in their own self healing journeys.” He hopes to expose artists to greater opportunities like those he has experienced in New York. “The idea that artists have to struggle is false, and through our collaborative works, show cases, seminars, and dinners, I see a way for me to really enrich other creative lives through these intimate but impactful environments,” says Jackson. He hopes to generate capital that he can pour back into the City of New Orleans.

Jackson has worked for Patti Wilson Studios, Parkwood Entertainment, Tommy Hilfiger, New York Fashion Week, and Christian Cowan. He credits his skills to the long line of tailors and seamstresses from whom he descended, stating, “I feel like I carry all of their separate skills in individual fingers on my right hand, and I plan to use them to the best of my ability to carry out the story of not just my family, but the community they cultivated with raw talent, love, and passion.”

Ian Jackson first joined the YAYA Guild in 2012.

02/04/2026

YAYA Alumni Scholar Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Jada Junius is embarking on her journey toward an AA at Delgado Community College. She hopes her artwork reaches a diverse audience and that its message reaches the heart of whoever encounters it, regardless of age, background or nationality. She says her art “transcends mere representation; it serves as a conduit for viewers to explore the depths of emotion and the essence of human connection.” A fascination with human portraits inspires her, and she desires to “evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for humanity” with her brush strokes.

Jada Junius graduated from New Orleans Science and Mathematics High School in 2024. She first joined the YAYA Guild in 2018.

02/03/2026

YAYA Alumni Scholar Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Lyric Lee is pursuing a BA at the University of New Orleans. She is a multimedia artist working in painting, drawing, digital media, clay, and glass. Her favorite mediums are acrylic paint and watercolor. She is currently experimenting in stop-motion animation and comics. “I am an artist with autism, and I want to share stories of all kinds – stories I have seen, heard, read and made. I want people who see my art to feel something,” she says.

Lee made the dean’s list as a freshman and is now entering her sophomore year. She is inspired by the things she loves, stating, “My inspiration for my work is the people around me like my mom and the TV shows I watch, the books I read, and other artists I see.” While her art practice is a personal tool, she has clear intentions for her audience, stating, “What I want to do as an artist is to help people understand that art is everywhere; important and ingrained in every facet of our lives.”

Lyric Lee graduated from Morris Jeff Community High School in 2024. She first joined the YAYA Guild in 2018.

01/28/2026

YAYA Alumni Scholar Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Starr Solié Smith is pursuing a BFA in Spatial Experience Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. She is a visual artist, graphic designer, and aspiring spatial experience and exhibition designer. “I plan to pursue a career designing & curating artistically driven exhibits and pop up activations for museums, events, brands,” says Smith, whose newfound knowledge of art history, craftsmanship, materiality, and advanced design principles has equipped her to focus on large-scale installation and exhibition design within New York City’s art and fashion scenes.

She credits the French and Spanish architecture of New Orleans with seeding her understanding of design’s history through the lens of culture. “I am dreaming of making artwork that changes the lives of people in the communities that have molded me into the person that I am today. I believe that art can inspire the minds of a generation, therefore I believe it is important to invest in the beautification of our communities and specifically urban areas that have been historically under funded and neglected,” says Smith, who is researching and developing design solutions to aid with disaster recovery and urban redevelopment for her thesis capstone project.

Smith is currently interning for Center Stage Productions, a display and design firm. She also serves as Vice President of FIT’s Black Student Union whose mission is to foster community and provide a safe space for Black students on campus to grow and develop relationships that will last beyond their time at FIT. She plans to study abroad in the Dominican Republic to complete her required language course.

Smith earned an AAS in Communication Design Foundation and an AAS in Fine Art from FIT before beginning the BFA program. She first joined the YAYA Guild in 2013.

01/26/2026

YAYA Alumni Grantee Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Fred Johnston is a mixed media artist skilled in painting, drawing, sculpture, beadwork, graphic design, digital illustration, and video editing. His practice spans folk art, fine art, and commercial art and media. He has a deep interest in the constantly evolving relationship between technology, culture, and creativity, stating, “I want my work to feel current, impactful, and connected to the pulse between modern culture and folk art,” His work has been featured in galleries, publications, and in film and television. With over 30 years of creative experience, he is passionate about artistic expression, community engagement, and the power of art education to inspire and heal.

Johnston draws inspiration from the vibrant spirit and cultural heritage of New Orleans. As a multidisciplinary art instructor, he has designed and led courses for all ages, encouraging personal growth and artistic development. His community impact extends further through his work as a Community Health Worker and Therapeutic Art Instructor, using art to support emotional wellness and community health. “My inspiration comes from a belief that health is wealth, and I view the humanities—art, culture, music, storytelling—as essential to a healthy society. Creating art is a way for me to maintain my own mental health and emotional well-being. It gives me purpose, a sense of direction, and a platform to express myself authentically,” says Johnston. Working with community organizations and other artists has taught him the importance of teamwork, communication, and blending multiple artistic visions to create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

This grant will support the design of a public art project that will be collaborative with the host community. “ “I continue to elevate my work, contribute meaningfully to my cultural heritage, and help shape a future where art serves as a bridge between generations, cultures, and ideas,” says Johnston.

Fred Johnston first joined the YAYA Guild in 1988.

01/24/2026

YAYA Alumni Scholar Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Channel Guice Thomas is pursuing a BA in Fashion, Fibers and Materials from California State University. Guice Thomas is exploring new directions as she creates a fresh body of work, stating, “I am excited to experiment with new techniques—like knitting, crocheting, and revisiting my earlier practice of batik—to create textures and patterns that echo my artistic voice. By blending traditional methods with sustainable choices, I’m creating meaningful art that embodies my evolution as an artist and my commitment to making a positive impact through my work.” She is exploring themes that resonate with her identity, experience, and the culture that’s influenced her. “Through my textiles, I want to tell stories that reflect not only my personal journey but also the collective narratives of community, resilience, and our connection to nature,” she says. She plans to bring art into public spaces and lead workshops to spread knowledge and inspire others. “Providing accessible art education not only enriches the lives of participants but also strengthens the community as we come together to celebrate creativity and diversity. Sharing with others is what inspires me as an artist because I am able to receive the creative energy from them,” she reflects.

She is on track to receive her degree in Spring 2026. Prior to her current pursuits, Guice Thomas studied Apparel Construction at Santa Monica Sewing Center in 2016 and 2017. She studied Elementary Education at the University of Louisiana in Monroe from 2013 to 2015 and received an Associates of Arts in Business Administration/Visual Communications at American Intercontinental University in 2007.

Channel Guice Thomas first joined the YAYA Guild in 1995.

01/22/2026

YAYA Alumni Grantee Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Paul Michael Wright is a painter, illustrator, and storyteller who uses figurative portraiture to tell personal narratives about coming of age, community, and nostalgia. He works primarily in mixed media, using the human body as a vehicle to explore themes of identity, trauma, and transformation. This grant will support the ongoing development of Transparency, a mixed media series examining the duality inherent in portraiture. Wright’s technique for this series involves painting on transparent materials and building each artwork in layers, so that elements are both hidden and revealed. “By doing this, I explore the duality between surface identity and the deeper, hidden self. Each layer is a metaphor for the complexity of our personas—how we present ourselves to the world, and what lies beneath,” he explains.

Wright plans to exhibit Transparency at the John Scott Center in New Orleans, whose mission is to amplify diverse voices and foster community conversations. “I make artwork to tell my truth and engage in a larger conversation about identity and visibility. As a Black gay artist, my work is deeply personal, yet it is also meant to resonate with others who may face similar struggles,” reflects Wright, who describes Transparency as both a reflection and a mirror. He aims to deconstruct traditional norms surrounding Blackness, masculinity, femininity, and humanity itself, using the portrait as a lens through which to examine the nuanced and often repressed dimensions of selfhood. He states, “Transparency is a thematic exploration of the tension between public persona and inner truth, focusing on the vulnerability of human identity.”

Paul Michael Wright first joined the YAYA Guild in 2007.

01/20/2026

YAYA Alumni Scholar Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Sofia Olexia-Daigle is entering her senior year at Tulane University where she is pursuing a BFA with concentrations in glass and ceramics, a second major in Secondary Education, and a minor in Strategy, Leadership, and Analytics (SLAM). She views her creative practice as an opportunity for self-expression, explaining, “It’s a process of inquiring, examining, and digesting everyday interactions and translating those experiences into something tangible to share with the world.” Her identity, gender, and surroundings influence her work.

Women are a central subject in Olexia-Daigle’s artwork, particularly ceramic doll forms that represent women of all backgrounds. She says, “I use critical thinking skills to question systemic barriers and transfer that to my work,” focusing on the societal barriers women face and the strength they use to overcome them. Her ultimate goal is for others to see themselves in her work – “I am a woman who strives for women of all backgrounds to be loved and consider themselves as a work of art.” In addition to women, she is inspired by the wildlife and natural environment of Louisiana, incorporating these themes into select artworks.

She is currently delving into new methods of creativity, stating, “I am exploring puppetry in ceramics and finding new ways to combine glass and ceramics and how they overlap as mediums.” She desires to explore torch work, spent her summer at a leadership retreat, and has plans to take the Praxis exam. She is also on the dean’s list.

Sofia Olexia-Daigle graduated from New Harmony High School and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in 2022. She first joined the YAYA guild in 2017.

01/18/2026

YAYA Alumni Grantee Spotlight: .masks. Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Courtney Clark is a multi-media artist, culture bearer, culinary artist, and lifelong New Orleanian. She comes from a line of seamstresses, carpenters, and culinary artists, and sees her creativity as deeply rooted in her history, family, and culture. She draws inspiration from her past, her twin children who have autism, her culture, and the wisdom passed down from her ancestors.

Clark will use this grant to continue the artistic journey she began last year—creating merchandise using the traditional beadwork methods of the Mardi Gras Indians. Using the sewing skills she learned from her mother and grandmother, she has spent years helping Mardi Gras Indians sew beads onto their suits. She is now expanding her previous work by incorporating more fabric elements and crocheted designs into her beadwork. Clark is excited to continue passing down this unique art form, taught to her by the matriarchs in her family, by leading workshops at YAYA and sharing her work with the community.

Courtney Clark caters plant-based meals through her business Cocoamo.Cooks. She has displayed artwork across New Orleans and at galleries in Italy and France. She has worked on murals in New Orleans, Aix En Province, France, Germany and Amsterdam. She became a YAYA inaugural artist in 1988 and joined the YAYA Guild in 1989.

01/16/2026

YAYA Alumni Scholar Spotlight: . Stay tuned for more Grantees and Scholars. Learn and see more at anadeline.org.

Blair Augillard is entering his sophomore year at Grambling State University where he is pursuing a BA with a concentration in illustration. He explains that studies are expanding his horizons and pushing him in new directions. “Over the past semester I have delved into painting with acrylics and watercolors, further exploring texture, depth and traditional techniques. Transitioning from digital mediums to physical painting has been both challenging and rewarding, as it allows me to experiment with brushwork, layering, and color blending in a way that digital tools cannot replicate.” He is eager to continue exploring new techniques and mediums and growing as an artist.

Augillard’s work draws inspiration from graffiti and cartoons. “My work incorporates bold lines, vibrant colors, and dynamic compositions, allowing me to create visually striking and expressive pieces. I was drawn to the energy and movement of graffiti, the way it brings life to public spaces, and how it serves as a powerful form of self-expression. I blended these urban influences with the playful, animated aesthetics of cartoons, resulting in a distinctive style that continues to evolve,” says Augillard. Some of the same themes apply to his public murals - an art form that combines a love for large-scale, impactful work with his desire to engage with the community. Reflecting on his mural projects throughout New Orleans, he says, “Through these projects, I have learned the importance of storytelling in public art, how to collaborate with others, and how art can transform spaces and inspire those who encounter it.”

Blair Augillard graduated from Willow High School in 2024. He first joined the YAYA Guild in 2017.

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