Voice, Vision, and Collaboration in a Digital Age

“[The Fellowship] challenged me to think more about the economics of visual media and [the] integration between institutions and my art.” 

—Dubem Okafor, AFH Artist Fellow

(L to R) AFH 2024 Artist Fellows Audrey Calhoun, Taijai Slaughter, Ananda Toulon, Victoria “Tori” DelValle, and Dubem Okafor.

Staying relevant means recognizing that the future isn’t static—it’s dynamic, diverse, and constantly reshaping itself. The 2024 AFH Fellowship empowered AFH alumni and local artists to innovate and refine their voice in this ever changing digital world. It offered a collaborative environment that encouraged bold ideas, and inspired both personal and professional growth. Over a period of nine-months, five artists—Audrey Calhoun, Victoria “Tori” DelValle, Dubem Okafor, Taijai Slaughter and Ananda Toulon—set out to share their artistic voices and grow their careers through content creation and digital storytelling.

Each artist was provided with essential resources—including a stipend, studio space, materials, and professional development—alongside mentorship from Loop Lab Founder Chris Hope and Fellowship and Alumni Program Manager Nicole Dubov. They also gained exposure through workshops on topics such as social media best practices, taxes for artists, and IP protection, as well as how to exhibit your work for maximum impact. Most important was the peer-to-peer learning and support, and as Dubem shared, “It is a great experience to work with other artists, pushing each other, and giving reasons and some foundation to execute goals.” 

The artists came to the Fellowship for different reasons, for Tori DelValle it was her desire to learn more about herself as an artist. For Audrey Calhoun, joining was about having the resources and connections to create the stories she has been wanting to tell for so long, and not feeling alone on her journey. Taijai saw it as the perfect segue on his journey to refine his skills and expand his network, and the emphasis on personal initiative and creating lasting connections. 

“We stand on the shoulders of giants…I can’t do anything by myself. It takes people. It takes a team.” —Taijai Slaughter, AFH Fellow

No matter what the reason, the fellows embarked on a collaborative journey that paved the way for a pre-screening and culminating exhibition, Password***** — Access Granted. They delved into emerging digital landscapes, investigating how their identities evolved through the pursuit of personal triumphs. The Password***** – Access Granted title reflects the barriers we face daily, symbolizing the mental blocks we must overcome to access our authentic voices. The pieces offered viewers a glimpse into the fellows' works and minds, while granting them access to potential solutions and paths for their own journeys. Over 180 visitors explored the exhibition’s transformative perspective on navigating and finding one’s place in the digital era.

Activated exhibition goers!

The pre-screening of Password***** offered an inspirational evening full of directors’ cuts, including stop-motion claymation, short form videos, a sitcom pilot, an experimental film, and behind the scenes' clips. A moderated Artists' Talk in AFH’s Painting Studio provided an intimate space for fellows to share their insights, artistic process, and experiences during the Fellowship in conversation with 80 guests.

The Prescreening of Password***** — Access Granted.

“[The Fellowship] challenged my business approach to align myself with work that fulfills me. I can see clearly what I want…and [know] not to stray from my intuition. It also challenged me to speak up for myself and others.”  —Ananda Toulon, AFH Alum and Artist Fellow

Closing out the second year of the AFH Artists Fellowship brings new perspectives and learnings, paving the way for the next cohort of fellows. In 2025, our Fellowship will focus on creating art sustainably—valuing artistic practice as a process of continuous discovery while always questioning how art can innovate while minimizing harm.  Sustainable creation challenges artists to rethink process, materials, and techniques in ways that respect both the environment and society.  Developing sustainable methods calls on artists to reduce harm while maximizing positive impact, producing work that has a message consistent with its creation. These methods provide a problem-solving framework where each decision, from material selection to the final artwork, involves weighing environmental impact, social justice, and creative expression.

As we evolve and expand the program, we will continue to listen to emerging voices, embrace new technologies and materials, and integrate cultural shifts. At AFH, relevance means not just keeping pace with trends but staying a step ahead, ensuring that our programming resonates deeply with our growing community’s aspirations and values.

Want to dive deeper into the individual stories and continue to follow our Fellows on their journeys?  Read more about Audrey Calhoun, Tori 'thirteenvic" DelValle, Dubem "CalvinKleinCaterpillar" Okafor, Taijai Slaughter, and Ananda Toulon.

Interested in applying to the 2025 AFH Artists Fellowship or know someone who would be?  Learn more and apply here.