Bard College Assistant Professor of Photography Lucas Blalock ’02 and Visiting Artist in Residence Gwen Laster have been awarded 2025 Guggenheim Fellowships, joining the 100th class of recipients selected from nearly 3,500 applicants across 53 disciplines.
Blalock, a Brooklyn-based photographer whose work is held by major institutions including the Whitney and the Met, is known for pushing the boundaries of photographic representation and digital manipulation. Laster, a Detroit-born violinist and composer, blends classical training with jazz, blues, and African American musical heritage, and has been recognized by the NEA, Puffin Foundation, and others for her socially conscious compositions.
The Guggenheim Foundation honors exceptional creative ability and career achievement. “At a time when intellectual life is under attack,” said Foundation president Edward Hirsch, “we believe these visionary thinkers can guide our society toward a better and more hopeful future.”
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