Abby Sunde is one of 10 emerging craft artists nationwide who were selected for the Center for Craft’s prestigious Windgate-Lamar Fellowship for 2024.

Sunde graduated with a BFA from the UW–Madison School of Education’s Art Department in May, concentrating on glass and drawing.

“The materiality of glass — its liveness, and its ability to embed meaning in ways that preserve narrative — inspires and animates my practice,” Sunde explains in an artist’s statement. “Similarly, my interest in drawing is rooted in the connection and character of natural materials and the ways they can be invited into a collaborative space.”

Since 2006 the Center for Craft has awarded the Windgate-Lamar Fellowship to the top up-and-coming craft artists in the United States.

Each year, a panel consisting of craft experts handpicks 10 graduating students based on the excellence of their artistic contributions and their potential to innovate and enrich the craft field.

These exceptional artists each receive a $15,000 grant to support their personal and artistic growth in this crucial phase of their early careers. Historically, artists who receive this award use the funds to conduct material research, establish a studio, engage in further learning opportunities, and travel to locations significant to their research. Fellows also receive support through cohort convenings and professional development with the Center for Craft.