Tamarind Institute at The University of New Mexico has partnered with Chris Fox to establish a new endowed scholarship for its students, The Felsen/Johnson Memorial Scholarship.
This new scholarship was made possible through the generosity of Chris Fox, who was inspired by her desire to give back to a community that has uplifted her and to honor two influential people in her life: Bill Johnson and Sidney Felsen.
The Scholarship provides financial support to students enrolled in Tamarind’s Printer Training Program, helping them meet its rigorous 10-month program. It will give preference to students with financial need, providing one student with the support per academic year. It is open for applications for students starting in the fall 2025 program.
“My hope is that this scholarship will make it possible for more students to attend Tamarind and experience the wonderful art of lithography,” said Fox. “I especially want to support those who might not have the opportunity without financial assistance.”
The Printer Training Program is an intense, two-semester certificate program. Students are enrolled full-time from August through May and can typically spend between 60-70 hours per week in the studio.
Fox first met Bill Johnson and Sidney Felsen in Los Angeles while working at Gemini G.E.L., a workshop and publisher of fine-art limited edition prints and sculptures. Over time, Johnson became one of Fox’s biggest supporters and art mentors, while Felsen, co-founder and director of Gemini helped shape the trajectory of Fox’s career. Fox remains ever grateful for the opportunities Felsen provided and for Johnson’s unwavering support.
At Gemini, Fox was able to collaborate with some of the most significant artists of the 20th century. She worked on print projects with artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Dorothea Rockburne and Robert Rauschenberg.
Tamarind Director Diana Gaston remarked "This scholarship is particularly meaningful to Tamarind as it was created by a printer, someone from our field of collaborative printmaking who understands firsthand the challenges and sacrifices of the printer's life. This incredible gift will offer support and encouragement for the next generation of printers."
Tamarind Institute, based in Albuquerque at The University of New Mexico, is the home to learn, create and develop the art of lithography. Lithography is a printmaking technique that involves creating images on a flat stone or metal plate using a greasy substance, such as a crayon or ink.
The program’s curriculum is robust, and includes courses on theory and chemistry of lithography, development of technical skills, development of collaborative printing abilities, history of printmaking and the intricacies of running a printshop and business in the current art market.
If you would like to learn more about how you can support The Felsen/Johnson Memorial Scholarship, visit the giving webpage.
For more information on the scholarship, visit Tamarind Institute.
Tamarind Institute, located at 2500 Central Ave. SE, Albuquerque, N.M., is free and. open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, call 505-277-3901 or email tamarind@unm.edu.
